ALBERTA, CANADA, June 27 (Billings News Online) — A viral video showing a woman slowly backing away from a charging grizzly bear on an Alberta trail has renewed bear-safety reminders for hikers heading into Kananaskis Country and other wildlife areas.
The footage shows the woman with her dog near Mount Engadine Lodge on Rummel Lake Trail in Spray Lakes Provincial Park, according to Alberta Forestry and Parks as cited in coverage of the encounter. Reports say she kept talking to the bear, backed away and did not run.
No one was hurt. The bear eventually moved off after circling and charging, according to descriptions of the video.
Wildlife agencies say the key lesson is not to run. The U.S. National Park Service says running from a surprised bear can trigger a predatory response, and the Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee says people should back away slowly when a bear is not engaged, stand their ground during a bluff charge and use bear spray when appropriate.
For travelers, the practical takeaway is to keep pets leashed, carry bear spray and give wildlife space on trails.
