Man hurt dodging charging bear
Parks employee was armed with bear spray, suffers twisted ankle
A man sustained minor injuries after he walked around a corner and surprised a bear in the Jumping pound area of Kananaskis Country.
On Wednesday morning, an Alberta Environment and Parks employee was travelling north from the Canyon Creek trail to Jumping pound Ridge trail when he left a group to check out another area where they were working.
“He came around the corner and saw a bear,” said Brendan Cox, a spokesman for Alberta Fish and Wildlife. “The bear charged him.”
The man was able to grab his bear spray and use it on the bear, causing the animal to run away. He suffered only a twisted ankle when he fell.
Cox said it’s unknown whether it was a black bear or a grizzly bear — although it was described as a dark bear with brownish fur so he expects it was a black bear.
Officials are treating the incident as a defensive attack, which means the bear likely felt threatened and reacted to a perceived threat.
As a result, Cox said, there will be no followup action taken.
They have closed the area until further notice and put up bear warning signs.
Cox said the incident is a great example of why everyone should be carrying bear spray — and know how to use it — when they are out in the backcountry.
A bear safety expert said the man did everything right to avoid a more serious attack.
“They do train their staff and they do equip them with bear spray,” said Kim Titchener, owner of Bear Safety & More, which helps companies train their staff in wildlife safety.
Statistics show that bear spray is effective in fending off a bear attack.
“He didn’t have it all that accessible,” said Titchener, noting he was knocked down before he was able to spray the bear. “It needs to be on a chest holster or on a waist holster.”
Other tips include: travelling in groups rather than alone and making noise to avoid surprising bears.
All bear sightings in Kananaskis Country should be reported to 1- 800- 642- 3800, or, if they are within the provincial park, to 403591- 7755.