ALBERTA, CANADA, June 27 (Billings News Online) — A viral video from Alberta’s Kananaskis Country is renewing bear-safety warnings for hikers after a woman and her dog were followed and repeatedly charged by a grizzly bear on a trail near Mount Engadine Lodge.
The footage shows the woman backing away slowly while speaking to the bear and keeping her dog close. The bear circles and charges several times, but the video does not show an injury.
Alberta Forestry and Parks identified the encounter as taking place near Mount Engadine Lodge on Rummel Lake Trail in Spray Lakes Provincial Park, according to the reporting reviewed. The exact uploader of the video was not identified in the material reviewed.
Wildlife agencies advise people not to run from a bear. The U.S. National Park Service says running from a surprised bear can trigger a predatory reaction, and the Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee says bears can outrun humans over short distances.
The agencies say the right response depends on the bear’s behavior: back away slowly if the animal is not engaged, stand your ground during a bluff charge, and use bear spray when appropriate. The guidance also says travelers in bear country should keep pets leashed and carry bear spray on the trail.
