Eventful day for skilled subject geologist Zol Kenney who skilled two separate encounters with a juvenile grizzly bear whereas mountain climbing the Higher Kananaskis Lake Path in Alberta, Canada.
His first encounter with the bear (estimated to be two years previous) occurred about 3 miles west of Rawson Creek Bridge. Bear spray in hand, Kenney backed away matching pace with approaching bear whereas utilizing an assertive however calm voice to make his intentions clear. He lastly stood his floor the grizzly backed down:
After his brush with the juvenile grizzly, Kenney determined to cancel the hike and head again to the trailhead. After a couple of minutes of mountain climbing he got here throughout two extra hikers and he warned them that there was grizzly within the space. After some dialogue they determined to merge teams for added security and make their method out collectively. As they continued on in direction of the trailhead, the grizzly as soon as once more appeared and as soon as once more Kenney took the lead the saved his composure in the course of the encounter.
As a subject biologist, Kenney had taken “Bear Consciousness” programs and this in truth was not his first time coping with grizzly bears within the backcountry. You’ll be able to inform his coaching kicked in evidenced by his calm demeanor and readability of motion in the course of the tensest of moments. The grizzly as soon as once more determined it wasn’t and safely diverted across the group. Everybody together with the bear got here away that unhurt. Properly executed.
For those who pay attention rigorously you’ll be able to hear them establish the grizzly as #170. Whereas that is unconfirmed, GB #170 is collared and was singled out as a low battle degree grizzly bear primarily based on the Wind River Bear Institutes bear shepherding protocols and was subjected to “Aversion Conditioning” to extend the wariness of bears when interacting with the general public. This observe is completed by way of the supply of noise and ache stimuli when bears try to enter into developed areas.
PARKS CANADA GUIDELINES FOR ENCOUNTERING BEARS:
The Canadian Rocky and Columbia Mountains are dwelling to each grizzly and black bears. You’ll be able to run right into a bear anyplace right here, be it on a busy path near city or within the distant backcountry. Bears usually want to keep away from folks. Nevertheless, encounters between bears and folks do happen.
For those who SEE a bear
Cease and stay calm. Prepare to make use of your bear spray. Don’t run away.
Is the bear UNAWARE of your presence?
Transfer away quietly with out getting its consideration.
Is the bear AWARE of your presence?
Bears could bluff their method out of an encounter by charging after which turning away on the final second. Bears might also react defensively by woofing, growling, snapping their jaws and laying their ears again.
- Keep calm. Your calm behaviour can reassure the bear. Screams or sudden actions could set off an assault.
- Converse to the bear. Speak calmly and firmly. This lets the bear know you might be human and never a prey animal. If a bear rears on its hind legs and waves its nostril about, it’s making an attempt to establish you.
- Again away slowly. By no means run! Operating could set off a pursuit.
- Make your self seem BIG. Choose up young children and keep in a gaggle.
- Don’t drop your pack. It might present safety.
For those who should proceed, make a large detour round a bear or wait at a secure distance for it to maneuver on.
If the bear APPROACHES
Cease and stay calm. Prepare to make use of your bear spray. Don’t run away. Assess the bear’s behaviour and decide why it’s approaching.
Is it DEFENSIVE?
The bear is feeding, defending its younger and/or stunned by your presence. It sees you as a menace. The bear will seem careworn or agitated and will vocalize.
- Attempt to seem non-threatening.
- Speak in a relaxed voice.
- When the bear stops advancing, begin slowly shifting away.
- If it retains coming nearer, stand your floor, maintain speaking, and use your bear spray.
- If the bear makes contact, fall on the bottom and play lifeless. Lie nonetheless and watch for the bear to go away.
Is it NON-DEFENSIVE?
A bear could also be curious, after your meals, or testing its dominance. Within the rarest case, it is perhaps predatory–seeing you as potential prey. All of those non-defensive behaviours can seem related and shouldn’t be confused with defensive behaviours.
The bear will likely be intent on you with head and ears up.
- Speak in a agency voice.
- Transfer out of the bear’s path.
- If it follows you, cease and stand your floor.
- Shout and act aggressively.
- Attempt to intimidate the bear.
- If it approaches intently, use your bear spray.
Dealing with an ATTACK
Most encounters with bears finish with out harm. If a bear really makes contact, you might improve your possibilities of survival by following these tips. On the whole, there are 2 sorts of assault:
Defensive
That is essentially the most COMMON sort of assault.
- Use your bear spray.
- If the bear makes contact with you: PLAY DEAD!
PLAY DEAD! Lie in your abdomen with legs aside and place your arms in order that your arms are crossed behind your neck. This place makes you much less weak to being flipped over and protects your face, the again of your head and neck. Stay nonetheless till you might be certain the bear has left the realm.
These defensive assaults are usually lower than two minutes in length. If the assault continues, it could imply it has shifted from defensive to predatory—FIGHT BACK!
Predatory
The bear is stalking (searching) you alongside a path after which assaults. Or, the bear assaults you at evening. One of these assault could be very RARE.
- Attempt to escape right into a constructing, automobile or up a tree.
- For those who can’t escape, don’t play lifeless.
- Use your bear spray and FIGHT BACK.
FIGHT BACK! Intimidate that bear: shout; hit it with a department or rock, do no matter it takes to let the bear know you aren’t simple prey. This type of assault could be very uncommon, however it’s severe as a result of it normally means the bear is searching for meals and preying on you.
