Injured grizzly bear sightings prompt trail closures in Kananaskis

Certain hiking trails have been closed in Kananaskis Country after multiple hikers spotted an injured grizzly bear in the area.

Alberta Parks issued a bear closure advisory for the Rawson Lake Trail and Sarrail Ridge Route Thursday and asked visitors to take appropriate precautions.

"Kananaskis Emergency Services received multiple reports of an injured grizzly bear from hikers in the vicinity of the Sarrail Ridge Route. The grizzly bear was described as being unable to bear weight on one of its front legs," said Alberta Parks spokesperson Bridget Burgess-Ferrari in a written statement.

"Conservation officers and bear technicians from the Ministry of Forestry and Parks responded to the situation and enacted an area closure for the Rawson Lake Trail and Sarrail Ridge Route," she added.

According to Burgess-Ferrari, experts don't have more details on the bear's condition and what led to its injury in the first place.

She said the closure has been enacted to safeguard visitors as well as the injured grizzly bear.

"As information on its condition is limited, there is a chance that the bear could become agitated depending on the extent of its injuries," Burgess-Ferrari said.

"At the same time, if the injury is more serious, it is important to give the bear space so that staff can evaluate the situation and determine if additional actions are required."

'They're going through pain'

This sentiment was echoed by Nick De Ruyter, the WildSmart program director at the Biosphere Institute of the Bow Valley, who said that injured bears can be rather unpredictable.

"They're going through pain and we don't actually know what's wrong with the bear. So the real key thing there is just give that animal space," he said.

 "The closer people get, the more they'll disturb the bear, stress the bear out, and maybe the bear will feel threatened." 

Alberta Parks has asked hikers in Kananaskis Country to be mindful of their surroundings and pay attention to any signs of bears, such as diggings, bear tracks and feces.

Take safety precautions

The advisory recommends minimizing the chances of a bear encounter by stepping out in groups and making a lot of noise, carrying bear spray and keeping pets on a leash.

According to De Ruyter, bear scat resembles 'red strawberry jam' and is relatively easy to spot.

"If you see a fresh pile or a fresh trail of liquidy red strawberry jam, it means there's a bear in the area," he said.

"Consider turning around or consider making more noise or getting your bear spray out or just being extra alert."

Visitors can alert officials and report bear sightings by calling 403-591-7755.