Grizzly bear feeding on dandelions prompts lockdown at Canmore school
There were some tense moments for students and parents arriving at Our Lady of the Snows Catholic School in Canmore on Friday morning when a grizzly bear wandered onto the soccer field to munch on some dandelions.
Police were called in to steer the bear away, which took some time, said Staff Sgt. Ryan Singleton.
Officers used their sirens to try and scare the bear off but it was more interested in breakfast than the people nearby, he said.
"It was definitely choosing to eat rather than listening to us," he said.
Officers were eventually able to push the bear to an area behind the golf course to the south, "where it should be," said Singleton.
"This is normal (bear) activity for this time of year," he said.
The school was placed on lockdown for a short time as a precaution.
Fish and Wildlife officers also arrived on scene Friday morning and were patrolling the area after putting out signage to warn residents.
"There were a lot of people walking. The bear did not act aggressively but it was approaching vehicles," said Singleton.
Alberta Fish and Wildlife says most of Alberta is bear country and those headed into the backcountry should carry noise makers and bear spray. A number of bear safety tips were also offered, including:
- If you encounter a bear in the wild, follow these tips to avoid a conflict;
- Do not run. Stay calm. Stay with your group and keep children close. Assess the situation;
- Look around. If you see cubs or an animal carcass, the bear will want to protect them. If you see either, back away from them;
- Prepare to use your bear spray;
- Back out. Leave the area the way that you came. Keep your eye on the bear without staring at it aggressively;
- Watch for a place to hide. As you back away, seek out a place of safety, such as a car or building;
- Speak to the bear in a soft, low voice. Let the bear know that you are human and not a prey animal, and;
-
Use your noisemaker and prepare to defend yourself with bear spray.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
McGill University seeks emergency injunction to dismantle pro-Palestinian encampment
McGill University has filed a request for an injunction to have the pro-Palestinian encampment removed from its campus.
'State or state-sponsored actor' believed to be behind B.C. government hacks
The head of British Columbia’s civil service has revealed that a “state or state-sponsored actor” is behind multiple cyber-security incidents against provincial government networks.
Spectacular aurora light show to be seen across Canada Friday night
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
Swarm of 20,000 bees gather around woman’s car west of Toronto
A swarm of roughly 20,000 bees gathered around a woman’s car in the parking lot of Burlington Centre.
U.S. says Israel's use of U.S. arms likely violated international law, but evidence is incomplete
The Biden administration said Israel's use of U.S.-provided weapons in Gaza likely violated international humanitarian law but wartime conditions prevented U.S. officials from determining that for certain in specific airstrikes.
Barron Trump declines to serve as an RNC delegate
Former U.S. President Donald Trump's youngest son, Barron Trump, has declined to serve as a delegate at this summer’s Republican National Convention, according to a senior Trump campaign adviser and a statement from Melania Trump's office.
Mother assaulted by stranger while breastfeeding baby in her car: Vancouver police
A person was arrested in East Vancouver Thursday after allegedly entering a car while a mother was breastfeeding her four-month-old boy.
'We have laws': Premier Smith says police action justified in Calgary
The actions, including the decision to use non-lethal force, to disperse pro-Palestinian protesters from the University of Calgary campus were justified, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith said Friday.