Stay clear of dead wildlife -- Take note of signs that may indicate carrion -- such as circling crows or ravens, or the smell of rotting meat. Carcasses attract bears.  Leave the area immediately! Report the location of dead wildlife to Park staff.

SOME BEAR FACTS

    Bears are as fast as a racehorse, on the flats, uphill or downhill

    Bears are strong swimmers.

    Bears have good eyesight, good hearing, and an acute sense of smell.

    All black bears and young grizzlies are agile tree climbers; mature grizzlies are       poor climbers, but they can reach up to 4 metres.

    If a bear is standing up it is usually trying to identify you. Talk softly so it knows what you are.  Move away, keeping it in view.  Do not make direct eye contact.

    Bears are strong. They can tear cars apart looking for food.

    Every bear defends a "personal space".  The extent of this space will vary with each bear and each situation; it may be a few metres or a few hundred meters. Intrusion into this space is considered a threat and may provoke an attack.

    Bears aggressively defend their food.

    All female bears defend their cubs.  If a female with cubs is surprised at close range or is separated from her cubs, she may attack.  An aggressive response is the mother grizzly's natural defense against danger to her young.

    A female black bear's natural defense is to chase her cubs up a tree and defend them from the base.  However, she is still dangerous and may become aggressive if provoked.  

The most dangerous bears are:

    Bears habituated to human food.

    Females defending cubs.

    Bears defending a fresh kill.

Bear safety essentials:

    Respect all bears - they all can be dangerous.

    Never approach a bear.

    Never attempt to feed a bear.

    Be defensive - never surprise a bear.

    Learn about bears. Anticipate and avoid encounters.

    Know what to do if you encounter a bear.

    Each bear encounter is unique. No hard and fast rules can be applied when dealing with a potentially complex situation

BEAR IDENTIFICATION

Identifying bears is important if you are ever approached by one.

Black Bear  (Ursus americanus Pallas)

Colour: Varies.  Black, brown, cinnamon or blond, often with a white patch on the chest or at the throat.

Height: Approximately 90 cm at the shoulder.

Weight: 57 kg to >270 kg. Females are usually smaller than males.

Characteristics:  straight face profile short, curved claws barely noticeable shoulder hump

Habitat: Prefers forested areas with low-growing plants and berry-producing shrubs (e.g. small forest openings, stream or lake edges, open forest).

Grizzly Bear  (Ursus arctos horribilis Ord)

Colour: Varies.  Black (rare), brown or blond. Fur often white-tipped or "grizzled". Light-coloured patches may occur around neck, shoulders and on rear flanks.

Height: Slightly above 1 metre at shoulder; 1.8 to 2 m erect.

Weight: 200 kg to >450 kg. Females are usually smaller than males.

Characteristics:  dished or concave face long, curved claws prominent shoulder hump

Habitat: Semi-open spaces preferred. High country in late summer and early fall; valley bottoms late fall and spring.

IF YOU SEE A BEAR

    And it does not approach you;

1. If spotted in the distance, do not approach the bear.  Make a wide detour or leave the area immediately.  Report your sighting to Park Staff at the first opportunity. 
2. If you are at close range, do not approach the bear.  Remain calm, keep it in view.  Avoid direct eye contact.  Move away without running.  Report the sighting to Park Staff.

Grizzly Attacks From Surprise (defensive)

Do nothing to threaten or further arouse the bear

Play dead.  Assume the 'cannonball position' with hands clasped behind neck and face buried in knees.

Do not move until the bear leaves the area.  Such attacks seldom last beyond a few minutes.

Black Bear Attacks From Surprise (defensive)

Playing dead is not appropriate.  

Make your self look big, wave hands, try to scare him off.

Try to retreat from the attack.  

Grizzly or Black Bear Attacks Offensively (including stalking you or when you are sleeping)

Do not play dead.  Try to escape to a secure place (car or building) or climb a tree unless it is a black bear.   If you have no other option, try to intimidate the bear with deterrents or weapons such as tree branches or rocks.

Grizzly or Black Bear Attacking For Your Food

Abandon the food.  Leave the area.

Do not deal with a problem bear unless it is an emergency