Bear Update

May 11, 2012

Welcome Back, Bears!

The boundary sign on the Alberta-British Columbia border separating Banff and Yoho National Parks seems to be welcoming this grizzly bear back to the valley bottom after 5 – 6 months of winter hibernation.

Both grizzly and black bears have been spotted in the mountain national parks near avalanche chutes, railway tracks, roads and day use areas. They are busily searching for food including animal carcasses, grain spilled from rail cars and emerging green vegetation as they try to regain weight lost during the winter.

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Safety Tips

Got your bear spray? The bears are definitely out and may be using the same travel routes you are. Whether you are skiing, snowshoeing, hiking or biking, remember to carry bear spray whenever you hit the trails.

If you see a bear, please let us know! Call Park Dispatch (24 hrs) at 403-762-1470.

Remember that it is possible to surprise a bear anywhere here, be it on a busy trail close to town or in the remote backcountry. Continue to travel in a group when you can and always be bear-aware!

See Bears and People and Sharing the Land with Grizzly Bears for more detailed information.

• Stay alert on the trails
• Drive with care
• Tuck food, garbage, bird feeders, BBQs & recyclables safely away