Nature for Newcomers

• What is Bear Spray?
• Living Smart with Bears
• Living Smart with Cougars
• Living Smart with Elk

Nature for Newcomers is a program to provide New Canadians, Newcomers and English as a second language residents and visitors with information on wildlife safety in their language through online materials, print resources as well as outreach programs.

Wildlife safety workshops and field trips to learn more about wildlife safety, bear spray and recreating safely in nature will be provided.

To sign up for a program in your language contact:

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What is Bear Spray?

It is a non-lethal aerosol spray made with pepper that can be used to deter a bear from attacking you. It causes temporary blindness and can incapacitate the animal.

• Bear spray has been proven to be effective at deterring attacks by black and grizzly bears. It could also be a useful deterrent for encounters with other species, such as cougars and coyotes. It will not stop encounters but can prevent an attack or save you from injury or death.
• Take precautions to avoid encounters in the first place by travelling in groups, making noise and being aware of your surroundings. Do not wear head sets such as mp3 players or iPods.
• Carry your bear spray every time you adventure into the outdoors and throughout the year.
• Check the expiry date and purchase a new can every three years.

Where can I get Bear Spray?

You can rent bear spray at Tourism Canmore or purchase at local sport stores.

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Living Smart with Bears

Many people live and visit bear country and never see a bear. It is however important to know how to avoid encounters with bears and what to do if you run into one.

Avoid Bear Encounters

• Do not approach or feed bears, this could elicit an unsafe response that could lead to human injury and/or the destruction of the bear.
• To avoid surprise encounters, make lots of noise.
• Watch for fresh evidence of bear activity e.g. tracks, scat, diggings, or overturned rocks and logs.
• Travel in groups.
• Walk your dog on leash.
• Carry bear spray and know how to use it.
• If you see a bear or see or smell a dead animal, leave the area.
• Respect all trail closures and information signs. They are there for your safety.
• Remove potential attractants from your property such as garbage, pet food, bird feeders, and berry bushes and fruit trees.

Photos courtesy of Alberta Parks unless otherwise noted.

Handling an ENCOUNTER

Most encounters with bears end without injury. If the bear is unaware of your presence – leave the area in the direction you came.

If the bear is aware of your presence and does not leave, be non-threatening – speak calmly, don’t yell. Stay calm and back away slowly – DON’T RUN.

If the bear closes distance on you – even after you have tried to retreat, such behavior could be considered curious, indifferent or predatory.

If the bear continues closing distance – make yourself large, stand your ground and talk firmly to the bear.

Handling an ATTACK

You may increase your chance of survival by following these guidelines. In general, there are 2 kinds of attacks:

1. Defensive Attack

The bear is protecting a carcass, protecting its young and/or is surprised by your presence. It attacks because you are perceived as a threat. Remember bears will often bluff charge.

Be non-threatening – don’t run or yell. Stay calm and back away slowly.

Use your bear spray if bear approaches you.

If the bear makes contact with you: PLAY DEAD!

Drop to the ground face down, interlace your fingers over the back of your neck and spread your legs to make it more difficult for the bear to turn you over. By playing dead the bear will likely lose interest in you and leave. Defensive attacks are generally less than two minutes in duration. If the attack continues, it may mean the attack has shifted from defensive to non-defensive (i.e. predatory) - in this case fight back!

2. Non- defensive Attack

The bear is aware of your presence, has time to leave but continues closing distance on you – even after you have tried to retreat. This behaviour could be considered curious, indifferent or predatory.

Use your bear spray. DO NOT PLAY DEAD and FIGHT BACK!

Intimidate the bear: shout; hit it with a branch or rock, do whatever it takes to let the bear know you are not easy prey.

If you're planning an outdoor adventure, remember that you are traveling in bear country.

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Living Smart with Cougars

Cougars, though rarely seen, are residents in the Bow Valley. The information below will help you stay safe.

Avoid Cougar Encounters

• Cougars generally avoid people.
• Travel in groups and keep everyone together including children and dogs.
• Cougars can be attracted to children, due to their small size and erratic movement patterns. Keep watch over your children, especially during dusk and dawn, when cougars are most active.
• Walk your dog on leash.
• Make noise to alert cougars of your presence.
• Leave the area if you see or smell a dead animal. Cougars usually cover their kills with forest debris.

Photos courtesy of Alberta Parks unless otherwise noted.

Handling an ENCOUNTER

• Immediately pick up children and pets.
• Do not turn your back on a cougar.
• Maintain eye contact with the cougar.
• Always leave room for it to escape.
• NEVER RUN; it may trigger an attack.
• Make yourself appear as large as possible.
• Back away slowly.

Handling an ATTACK

• Fight back with anything at hand.
• Use bear spray (keep canisters easily accessible and warm in winter to improve effectiveness).

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Living Smart with Elk

Avoid Elk Encounters

Elk are commonly seen in the Bow Valley. The information below will help you stay safe.

• Elk can be dangerous.
• If the animal is responding to your presence – you are too close.
• Give them plenty of room. Keep at a distance of at least 3 bus lengths.
• Do not approach elk or their calves.
• Elk can endanger themselves or humans by suddenly running into traffic or fences if spooked.
• Walk your dog on leash.
• Female elk can be especially aggressive during the May - June calving season.
• Male elk can be especially aggressive during the September - October breeding season.

Photos courtesy of Parks Canada.

Handling an ATTACK

• If you are charged by an elk, position yourself behind a solid structure such as a tree or car.
• If you have bear spray consider using it.