A safety kayaker on British Columbia’s Elaho River in the Squamish Valley was bluff charged by a grizzly bear and the entire incident was captured on camera.
Halfway between Vancouver and Whistler, the town of Squamish is one of British Columbia’s top adventure destinations, with eight provincial parks, a rich food and drink culture, and plenty of opportunities for remarkable outdoor recreation. It’s one of Canada’s top whitewater rafting destinations, with the Cheakamus River offering easier class 1 and 2 rapids and the Elaho-Squamish River offering more fast flowing class 3 and 4 rapids.
The Squamish Valley is also home to an abundant wildlife population, with elk, bobcats, coyotes, wolves, cougars, bears, and more living throughout the area. Approximately 59 grizzly bears are known to live in the Upper Squamish Valley, and while encounters with grizzly bears are fairly uncommon they are known to wander into Squamish from time to time as they follow food sources like salmon.
This footage shot on the Elaho River shows what can happen when humans and grizzlies do interact. A safety kayak for a rafting company was ahead of the rest of the group when a grizzly decided to ambush the person. Fortunately the kayaker understood the danger and paddled hard with the grizzly eventually turning around once the water got too deep.
“Rafting trip. A dead elk had been on a island between channels. Mostly ravens and turkey vultures until that day. The Grizzly sized up both rafts and decided to bluff charge the safety kayaker until it got too deep.”
Grizzlies will typically only attack humans in defensive situations, whether they’re protecting young, a food source, or themselves. Always give bears plenty of space and never approach or feed any wild animal. Read more on grizzly bear encounters below.
British Columbia Bear Encounter Guidelines:
- If you see a bear, stop where you are and stay calm. Never run away. Observe the bear’s behaviour to decide on your next move.
- Check you have your bear spray and make sure you can get to it quickly, if you need it.
- If the bear has not noticed you, leave the area quietly. Go back the way you came while keeping an eye on them.
- If the bear has noticed you but is not reacting to your presence, speak softly and back away slowly.
- If the bear becomes agitated, makes noises, or seems aggressive, continue backing away slowly and talking softly. Do not run away.
- While backing away, do not make eye contact, but keep the bear in sight. Take your bear spray out and get ready to use it.
- If the bear charges, stand your ground and discharge your bear spray when they are within spraying range.
- If the bear is steadily approaching you, try to get out of their way, preferably onto higher ground.
- If the bear continues to approach you, yell at them. If they get within spraying range of you, discharge your bear spray.
- If the bear knocks you down, roll onto your stomach and lie still. Protect the back of your head. Spread your feet slightly, so they cannot roll you over.
- If the bear continues to attack, or if they appear to be predatory, fight them off with everything at hand. Focus on the bear’s eyes and nose.