A bear attack in Canmore is the second in two days in Southern Alberta, and park staff is warning outdoor enthusiasts to be wary.
Go to Canmore and you’ll find warning signs up after a woman in her 20s was attacked by a brown bear on Wednesday night. She was cycling with a friend when they came upon the bear that swiped at them, injuring one rider in the chest. She was taken to hospital and will be ok.
On Tuesday, a woman was bitten by a bear near Waiparous and also managed to escape.
Wildlife experts say a bumper crop of wild berries is leading bears and people into confrontations.
“Most of these berries are growing in open areas and quite often we get them growing really well right beside trails,” said John Paczkowaki, Alberta Environment and Parks. “So we are getting people on bikes going down trails quietly and bears don’t like to be surprised. When you surprise a bear, it might act aggressively.”
In the case of the Canmore attack, the victim’s friend was able to use bear spray to stop the attack, something experts say you should never be without in the mountains. You should also make noise to warn bears that you are coming, and if you run into one, try to move away slowly.
For now, the Lowline Trail and surrounding area in Canmore are closed from the peaks of Grassi to the Three Sisters Parkway while Fish and Wildlife Officials investigate.
