Wildlife safety in BC and Alberta

Learning some basic wildlife safety is absolutely essential for anyone planning to explore beyond Vancouver's city streets.

BC (and the Alberta side of the Rockies) is home to an array of animals, including black bears, grizzly bears, elk and moose.

It’s totally normal to be frightened at the prospect of encountering a bear (or other large predator), especially if you don’t live in a place with them or are new to outdoor activities.

While bear attacks remain extremely rare – you’re actually more likely to be hit by lightning – it is crucial to know how to avoid a negative encounter and what to do in the very unlikely event it does happen.

This is not only beneficial for you but also important for ensuring the safety of local wildlife.

General wildlife safety tips

• Stay alert for animals while driving, especially at dawn and dusk. If you do spot an animal and want to observe it, find a safe place to stop at least 100m (10 buses) from bears, bison, cougars and wolves and at least 30m (3 buses) from moose, elk, deer, sheep and goats. Observe for a short time and move on. Do not get out of your vehicle!

• Make noise while hiking. This alerts wildlife to your presence and gives them a chance to avoid you. As a general rule, animals don’t want to be close to humans. The easiest way is to call, sing, clap or talk loudly.

• Keep dogs on a leash. Most parks and trails require this. Off-leash dogs can chase and harass wildlife, provoking defensive behaviour

• Remain alert at all times while hiking. Watch for wildlife signs like fresh tracks, diggings and scat (droppings)

• Travel in a group if you can. The larger the group, the less likely you are to have any issues

• Store and dispose of food and trash properly. Pack out everything you bring with you (don't leave food/trash behind) OR be sure to use an animal safe trash bin. When camping, store food and smelly items in a hard sided vehicle, metal food cache or bear hang

• Give wildlife space. If you do see any animals on foot, keep your distance - ideally 100m or more. This offers them an escape route

Know what to do if a bear approaches you. Different techniques are required, depending on whether it is a grizzly or black bear and the behaviour it is exhibiting.

Bears

Black bears are widely found in British Columbia, while grizzly bears are not quite as abundant.

Considering the regions featured in this guide only, grizzlies are most often seen in the Whistler area, Mount Revelstoke National Park, Glacier National Park and the Canadian Rockies (Jasper, Banff, Yoho, Kootenay National Park).

In general, bears don't like to be around humans.

I've seen a lot of bears over the years - when spotting them from a vehicle, they are usually eating grass by the side of the highway and have no interest in humans/vehicles.

When I've seen them while hiking, they usually run away as soon as they have heard or smelled humans.

On longer or quieter* trails (and especially when alone), I carry bear spray. Bear spray is an aerosol deterrent made with chili pepper oil, designed to be deployed at close range in the face of an aggressive bear. This 'last resort tool' is sold in outdoor shops across BC and Alberta. Please note that you cannot fly with bear spray.

*I say 'quieter' rather than 'remote' because some of the black bears I've seen in BC have been in areas within 1km of houses

What to do if you see a bear

• Stop, stay calm and do not approach

• Speak to the bear in a calm but firm tone

• If the bear is moving, wait at a safe distance

• Move slowly away and give the bear plenty of space

• If in a group, stay together

• Be prepared to turn around and go back the way you came if necessary

• Have bear spray ready with the safety off

What to do if the bear doesn't leave

• Watch the bear's behaviour - your response will vary accordingly

Never:

• Run

• Drop your bag

• Scream

• Make sudden movements

• Turn your back on the bear

• Block the bear’s escape route

• Approach den sites or carcasses