Banff National Park, Canada’s first national park and the flagship of the country’s park system, offers hikers and adventurers an escape into stunning wilderness surrounded by Rocky Mountain peaks and glacial lakes. It’s home to over 311 species of birds, 844 species of plants, 5 species of rare or scientifically important invertebrates, 19 fish species, 4 amphibians, 1 reptile, and 53 species of mammals including the mighty and iconic grizzly bear.
Up to 20,000 grizzly bears are estimated to remain in western Alberta, the Yukon and Northwest Territories and British Columbia. Banff’s grizzly bear population is believed to sit around 65 animals, though many of them do not spend their entire lives inside the park. Bear encounters are possible anywhere inside the park, whether it’s on a busy trail close to town or in the remote backcountry.
Grizzlies tend to travel along the path of least resistance which is often the same trails that humans use. As such, it’s important to be aware of bear activity and do your best to avoid encounters when traveling through their territory. Carrying bear spray, as the guy in the video below does, is incredibly important to staying safe while recreating in bear country.
If you see a grizzly bear in the wild, keeping a large amount of space between you and the animal is the first step to staying safe. If you encounter a bear that’s aware of your presence, stay calm, speak to the animal to identify yourself as a human, and back away slowly. Running is never a good idea as it may trigger a pursuit. If the bear continues to follow, you should stop, remain calm, and be prepared to use your bear spray. Read more on bear encounter safety below:
Parks Canada Bear Encounter Guidlines:
If you SEE a bear
Stop and remain calm. Be ready to use bear spray. Do not run away.
OBSERVE:
Is the bear UNAWARE of your presence?
Move away quietly without getting its attention.
Is the bear AWARE of your presence?
Bears may bluff their way out of an encounter by charging and then turning away at the last second. Bears may also react defensively by woofing, growling, snapping their jaws and laying their ears back.
- Stay calm. Calm behaviour can reassure the bear. Screams or sudden movements may trigger an attack.
- Speak to the bear. Talk calmly and firmly. This lets the bear know you are human and not a prey animal. If a bear rears on its hind legs and waves its nose about, it is trying to identify you.
- Back away slowly. Never run! Running may trigger a pursuit.
- Make yourself appear BIG. Pick up small children and stay in a group.
- Do not drop your pack; it may provide protection.
If you must proceed, make a wide detour around the bear, move well off the trail or wait at a safe distance for it to move on.
If the bear APPROACHES
Stop and remain calm. Get ready to use your bear spray. Do not run away. Assess the bear’s behaviour and determine why it is approaching.
Is it DEFENSIVE?
The bear is feeding, protecting its young and/or surprised by your presence. It sees you as a threat. The bear will appear stressed or agitated and may vocalize.
- Try to appear non-threatening.
- Speak in a calm voice.
- When the bear stops advancing, start slowly moving away.
- If it keeps coming closer, stand your ground, keep talking, and use your bear spray.
- If the bear makes contact, fall on the ground and play dead. Lie still and wait for the bear to leave.
Is it NON-DEFENSIVE?
A bear may be curious, after your food, or testing its dominance. In the rarest case, it might be predatory–seeing you as potential prey. All of these non-defensive behaviours can appear similar and should not be confused with defensive behaviours.
The bear will be intent on you with head and ears up.
- Speak in a firm voice.
- Move out of the bear’s path.
- If it follows you, stop and stand your ground.
- Shout and act aggressively.
- Try to intimidate the bear.
- If it approaches closely, use your bear spray.