Close bear encounters lead to warnings, closures in popular parts of Kananaskis

Three recent encounters with bears in Kananaskis Country have led Alberta Parks to issue new warnings, bringing the total number of advisories up to fourteen.

The encounters, all of which resulted in bear spray being used, led to warnings at Kovach Trail, effective Aug. 1, Galatea Trail, effective Aug. 2, and part of Mount Shark Road, effective Aug. 6.

The incidents were among "several encounters with bears over the long weekend across Kananaskis," Neil Singh, Ministry of Forestry and Parks press secretary, said in a statement to CBC News.

The Aug. 1 incident involved a bear bluff charging two hikers around the Little Kidd Lookout area at Kovach Trail. Bluff charging refers to behaviour in which a bear charges toward a perceived threat, but stops short of making contact.

"The Kovach instance was reported as a grizzly bear, but there are numerous, brown-coloured black bears in the Kovach area," Singh said.

On Aug. 2, there was a "close bear encounter" with an unknown, brown-coloured bear, which involved four hikers with an on-leash dog, Singh said.

The Aug. 6 incident involved a cyclist deploying bear spray during an encounter with a grizzly bear in the area between Mount Shark Road and Sparrowhawk Day Use on the Smith-Dorrien Trail highway. That bear warning is accompanied by an advisory regarding multiple grizzly bears feeding on berries in the area.

Kovach Trail is a popular hiking area located near Kananaskis Village, in the Evan-Thomas Provincial Recreation Area. Galatea Trail is located further south in Spray Valley Provincial Park.

A total of eleven bear warnings and three closures are in effect throughout Kananaskis Country.

A grizzly bear has been observed feeding on a cow carcass in the area south of Gorge Creek trail, resulting in a closure from that area west to Bluerock Creek Trail and east to Indian Oils trail gate, including all trails and routes within that area, effective Aug. 6.

The Buller Mountain Day Use area, including Buller Pond Hiker-Biker Camping, is closed because of multiple grizzly bears, including mothers with cubs, feeding on berries in the area, effective Aug. 6.

Bill Milne Trail from Kananaskis Village to Mount Kidd RV Park is also, with multiple grizzly and black bears being seen feeding on berries in the area, effective Aug. 7.

Bill Milne Trail remains open from Wedge Pond to Mount Allan Drive, but a grizzly bear bluff charging a hiker in that area led to a warning there that remains in place effective July 8.

Another recently-issued bear warning is in effect at Highway 40 day-use areas from Canoe Meadows to the Barrier Boat Launch as of July 30, due to a grizzly bear with a cub seen frequenting the area to feed on vegetation.

A warning is in place for all Peter Lougheed Provincial Park campgrounds, effective July 27, due to "multiple grizzly and black bears frequenting the campgrounds," according to Alberta Parks.

An adult grizzly bear seen in the trail network behind the University of Calgary Barrier Lake Research Station led to a warning, effective July 16, issued for Lusk Creek, Stoney Creek Group Campground, and the research station.

Warnings stemming from an increase in black bear sightings are in place for Canmore Nordic Centre Provincial Park and the Grassi Lakes trail system.

People should be on the lookout for bears and use spray if one comes within four metres, according to Alberta Parks. Its website offers detailed information on bear safety in Kananaskis Country.