Hiker charged by grizzly bear near popular trail in Kananaskis Country

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A hiker had a close call with a charging grizzly bear near the popular hiking spot of Troll Falls in Kananaskis Country, according to a provincial warning.

The grizzly bear came about a metre from the hiker on Monday, leading the area to be put under a bear warning until further notice.

The warning covers Bow Valley Wildland Provincial Park and Evan-Thomas Provincial Recreation Area. It also includes popular hiking paths like Stoney Trail, Skogan Pass Trail and Hay Meadow Trail. The area is close to Kananaskis Village.

“Although an advisory is in place for this area, bears can be encountered at any time,” stated the warning.

Always be prepared

John Clarke said anyone going into areas frequented by wildlife should always carry bear spray and know what to do if they come into contact with animals.

“Four things the bear’s going to do is: run away, stay there, run up a tree or follow you,” said Clarke, a former conservation officer in Kananaskis Country who runs the Canadian Bear Safety Authority. “The only thing you have to worry about is if it follows you, and why are they following you?”

Clarke said at this time of year, bears are seeking food after ending hibernation.

“They just got out of their dens at the end of April, so it’s all about finding food,” he said.

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Breeding season for bears starts in late spring. By fall, they prepare for winter and seek as much fat as they can to feast on.

“Bears that are in K-Country, Banff, Jasper, they’re quite habituated to people because they can see up to 200 to 300 people on a weekend compared to more of the wild areas where hardly anyone goes to,” Clarke said.

The warning recommends people make noise and travel with other people, keep an eye out for wildlife, always have their pet on a leash, carry bear spray and secure any food in bear-proof lockers.

People can report any wildlife sightings or incidents to 403-591-7755.

CBC News reached out to the Ministry of Forestry and Parks, but did not hear back by publication time.

Last summer, all of Kananaskis Country was put under a bear warning. It was the first time since 2016 a Kananaskis-wide bear warning was brought in.