Squamish, British Columbia is dwelling to a resilient inhabitants of grizzly bears which have persevered all through the years within the headwaters of the extra distant valleys the place the habitat is comparatively safe. Grizzly bear interactions with people within the space are unusual, however bears will wander into Squamish as they comply with meals sources.
Whereas encountering a grizzly bear on land is uncommon occasion, getting charged by one in water is even rarer. The next footage was taken on the Elaho River close to Squamish. In it a security kayaker for a rafting firm is ambushed by a charging grizzly bear. Fortunately the kayaker was knowledgeable and as soon as he was conscious he was the item of the bear’s pursuit, he was capable of dig in and rapidly paddle to a secure distance.
The grizzly bear was doubtless within the space feeding on an elk carcass that the group had seen on an island between channels of the Elaho River. They’d witnessed ravens and turkey vultures consuming the elk in days previous to this harrowing encounter. Seeing birds feeding on a useless elk could have appeared innocuous however anytime a meals supply is found in grizzly nation additional precautions must be taken. The city of Squamish has the motto “Hardwired For Journey” and this sequence really lives as much as their maxim.
Western Wildlife Outreach Grizzly Bear Security Tips:
There is no such thing as a fool-proof method of coping with a bear encounter: every bear and encounter is completely different. Understanding the way to interpret their conduct and the way to act responsibly is a part of the pleasure of sharing the environment with wild bears.
Bear Physique Language
Bears could seem tolerant of individuals after which assault with out warning. A bear’s physique language can assist you establish its temper. A bear could stand on its hind legs or strategy to get a greater view, however these actions are usually not essentially indicators of aggression: the bear could not have recognized you as an individual and could also be unable to scent or hear you from a distance. Generally, bears present agitation by swaying their heads, huffing, popping their jaws, blowing and snorting, or clacking their tooth. Lowered head and laid-back ears additionally point out aggression.
Predatory vs. Defensive Bear Assaults
If you happen to see a bear within the distance, respect the bear’s want for area. Attempt to make a large detour or depart the realm. If you happen to all of the sudden shock a bear at shut vary, STOP. Don’t crowd the bear – depart it a transparent escape route and it’ll in all probability exit. Assess the state of affairs: is the bear performing in a relaxed and curious method, or is it performing in a predatory or defensive method?
Defensive Confrontations:
Defensive confrontations are often the results of a sudden encounter with a bear defending its area or meals cache, and with feminine bears with younger. Defensive confrontations seldom result in contact. In defensive confrontations, the bear is threatening you as a result of it feels threatened.
If you happen to all of the sudden shock a bear, stay calm and don’t run.
- Communicate in a low monotone voice so the bear can determine you as human.
- A bear could cost in an try and intimidate you – often stopping properly wanting contact.
- If a bear begins to cost, use Bear Spray as instructed beneath the Bear Spray part of this brochure.
- If Bear Spray doesn’t deter a Defensive Confrontation, drop to the bottom and play useless to permit the spray to take impact. Defend your again by preserving your pack on. Lie in your abdomen, clasp your arms behind your neck, and use your elbows and toes to keep away from being rolled over. If the bear does roll you over, maintain rolling till you land again in your abdomen.
- Stay nonetheless and quiet. A defensive bear will cease attacking as soon as it feels the menace has been eliminated.
- Don’t transfer till you might be completely positive the bear has left the realm.
Predatory Confrontations:
Predatory assaults by bears are very uncommon, however do happen. Any bear that continues to strategy, comply with, disappear and reappear or shows different stalking behaviors is probably contemplating you as prey. Bears that assault you in your tent or confront you aggressively in your campsite or cooking space must also be thought-about a predatory menace.
- If the bear doesn’t reply to aggressive actions equivalent to yelling, throwing rocks and sticks, and many others., you have to be ready to bodily struggle again if it makes an attempt to make contact.
- Attempt to be intimidating: look as giant as potential.
- When you’ve got bear spray, emit a deterring blast, ideally earlier than the bear is inside twenty-five toes. This provides the animal time to divert its advance.
- If the bear proceed to comply with, place your pack or different gadgets down as a distraction.
- If a grizzly bear following you, climbing a tree could also be an choice however it’s no assure of security.
