How to Prevent Bear Attacks in Canadian Rockies
Tips for Staying Safe in North American Mountain Parks
Sep 9, 2009
Mountain parks such as Jasper, Banff and Waterton are popular destinations for tourists. These parks are also home to bears. Brian Patton and Bart Robinson, authors of the popular Canadian Rockies Trail Guide, note there is an “increasing number of folks who won’t hike here at all because of their irrational fear of bears” (Summerthought Ltd., 2000). A few tips can help these folks overcome their fear and know what to do to avoid a bear or to prevent an attack in the rare circumstance that they do meet a bear.
Bears Are Naturally Shy
Most animals will, if given the chance, stay out of the way of humans. Even bears have a natural fear of humans, and Robert Elman, author of The Hiker’s Bible, notes that they “normally avoid contact with man” (with Clair Rees, Doubleday & Co, 1982). However, frequent contact with humans erodes this natural fear.
Prepare for a Hike in Bear Country
Before starting on a day hike, drop by the park office or visitor’s centre. The staff should be able to inform hikers about bear activity. Patton and Robinson say, “If a bear is active on the trail you were planning to hike, you may want to go elsewhere. If you do hike the trail, be extra vigilant and make noise where visibility is poor.”
Know what bear signs — footprints, droppings, etc. — look like. Tracks are especially easy to see in muddy areas, such as near lakes or streams. Parks Canada also notes that "scratched trees may indicate that a bear is nearby." Try to note how fresh droppings and tracks are; if a track is set in caked mud, it is probably days or even weeks old.
Hike as a group whenever possible. Groups of hikers make more noise and are less likely to be attacked. Patton and Robinson say, “Nearly all serious attacks in the Rockies have occurred when a single individual encountered a bear at close range; attacks on two hikers are less common.” They recommend groups of three or more.
Make Noise While Hiking in Bear Country
Talk or sing while walking. This lets bears know that there are humans in the area so the bears can get out of the area. Patton and Robinson note that even an “occasional loud shout or whistle will alert bears to your presence.”
Keep Camp Clean
Bears are often attracted to food smells and may raid camps. Elman explains that “their natural fear can be overcome by the aroma of food.” Most campgrounds are busy and noisy, deterring bears from approaching — until after dark.
Do not leave garbage laying around the camp. Do not cook in or near a tent; Parks Canada recommends cooking at least 100 metres away from the tent. Pack all food away into a car or into the storage bins provided. Wash cooking utensils and dispose of dishwater in the outhouse, toilet, or well away from the campsite.
In Case of a Bear Encounter
If a bear is encountered, stay calm. Elman says, “Never approach a bear. There’s no way of telling whether it’s irritable, and it may have cubs hiding nearby—in which case it’s particularly dangerous.”
If the bear is sighted by a road, stay in the vehicle. If the bear is sighted while hiking, retreat slowly. In wilderness areas, the bear will often run away before the hiker can even take a picture. Talking to the bear in an even tone of voice may help it to realize that you are human and it should leave.
Most of all, when hiking in bear country, be aware. Use the most current advice and resources available, such as books and pamphlets from Parks Canada and other authorities, and follow the advice given. Help keep the bears wild while enjoying the beauty of their natural habitat.
 |
