Grizzly bear attack on solo hiker prompts closure of section of Kananaskis Country
Alberta Parks confirms a section of Elbow-Sheep Wildland Provincial Park in Kananaskis Country has been closed to the public after a hiker was attacked by a grizzly bear Sunday afternoon.
According to EMS officials, a 30-year-old man encountered a grizzly bear sow and her two cubs at around 1 p.m. southwest of the Highwood Pass and he was injured in the confrontation.
The man was retrieved from near the scene of the attack utilizing an Alpine Helicopters helicopter and airlifted to an awaiting EMS crew. He was then transported by ground ambulance to the Foothills Medical Centre in Calgary in serious but stable condition for treatment of various soft tissue injuries.
Alberta Parks says the bear attack victim was a solo hiker.
An area of the park stretching west of Highway 40, between the Peter Lougheed Provincial Park boundary to the south and an unnamed ridge south of Running Rain Lake, is now off-limits to visitors.
Encounters with a bear in Kananaskis Country are possible at any time and Alberta Parks says hikers should take preventative measures to reduce the likelihood of coming face-to-face with a bruin, including:
- Travelling in groups and making plenty of noise;
- Watching and listening for any indication of bears in the area;
- Keeping pets on leash; and
- Carrying bear spray, ensuring it's easily accessible and that you know how to use it.
Bear warnings are currently in place for the following regions in the Highwood area in connection with Sunday's attack:
- Ptarmigan Cirque;
- Pocaterra Ridge;
- Arethusa;
- Lipsett;
- Mist;
- Picklejar Creek; and,
- Lantern Creek.
For the latest on closures and bear warnings in the area, visit Elbow-Sheep Wildland Provincial Park advisories.
All bear sightings in Kananaskis Country should be reported to 403-591-7755
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Iran fires air defence batteries in provinces as sound of explosions heard near Isfahan
Iran fired air defence batteries early Friday morning after reports of explosions near the city of Isfahan, the state-run IRNA news agency reported.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
Nearly half of China's major cities are sinking, researchers say
Nearly half of China's major cities are suffering 'moderate to severe' levels of subsidence, putting millions at risk of flooding especially as sea levels rise.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.
Judge says 'no evidence fully supports' murder case against Umar Zameer as jury starts deliberations
The judge presiding over the trial of a man accused of fatally running over a Toronto police officer is telling jurors the possible verdicts they may reach based on the evidence in the case.
Health Canada to change sperm donor screening rules for men who have sex with men
Health Canada will change its longstanding policy restricting gay and bisexual men from donating to sperm banks in Canada, CTV News has learned. The federal health agency has adopted a revised directive removing the ban on gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, effective May 8.
Colin Jost names one celebrity who is great at hosting 'Saturday Night Live'
Colin Jost, who co-anchors Saturday Night Live's 'Weekend Update,' revealed who he thinks is one of the best hosts on the show.
Sports columnist apologizes for 'oafish' comments directed at Caitlin Clark. The controversy isn't over
A male columnist has apologized for a cringeworthy moment during former University of Iowa superstar and college basketball's highest scorer Caitlin Clark's first news conference as an Indiana Fever player.
'Shopaholic' author Sophie Kinsella reveals brain cancer diagnosis
Sophie Kinsella, the best-selling author behind the 'Shopaholic' book series, has revealed that she is receiving treatment for brain cancer.