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A man sustained minor injuries after he walked around a corner and surprised a bear in the Jumpingpound area of Kananaskis Country.
The man, an Alberta Parks employee, was hiking northbound on Canyon Creek Trail near Jumpingpound Ridge Trail when he encountered the wild animal.
“He had his head down and as he turned a corner he looked up and noticed a bear coming at him,” said Alberta Fish and Wildlife spokesman Brendan Cox. “The bear knocked him over and then, as the bear was looking at him, he managed to get his bear spray out and spray it in the face and the nose. And then it ran away.”
The man suffered a twisted ankle but was otherwise OK, Cox added.
“This is really just a great example of why everyone should carry bear spray,” he said. “It was clearly effective in this situation.”
It appears the bear’s actions were defensive and the result of a “surprise encounter,” and not indicative of predatory behaviour, Cox noted.
Wildlife officials continue to investigate.
In the meantime, Canyon Creek Trail west of the Ings Mine trailhead to Powderface Road has been closed.
The closure may be extended to the Jumpingpound Ridge Trail and officials are urging extra caution to anyone travelling in the area.
Any bear sightings can be reported by calling 1-800-642-3800.
Cox said it’s uncertain what kind of bear the animal was, but the description is that it was a “dark-coloured bear.”
Agencies/Canadajournal
