The Boss is awake and prepared for one more yr of munching grains and tromping across the Bow Valley.
Banff Nationwide Park’s iconic dominant grizzly bear, formally referred to as bear No. 122, was noticed by Parks Canada employees within the decrease Bow Valley on Monday.
Alberta’s bears sometimes emerge from their winter dens all through April and Could, based on Alberta Forestry and Parks, and an growing variety of sighting are being reported.
With heat climate within the forecast for a lot of Alberta and extra bears leaving their dens each day, the province issued a security alert on Friday, urging hikers and backcountry customers to watch out and plan forward.
“We ask everybody having fun with Alberta’s trails, parks and nice outdoor to be alert,” Alberta’s Minister of Forestry and Parks Todd Loewen mentioned in a information launch.
“Bear security is a shared accountability, and easy precautions may also help forestall severe encounters.”
Experiences of lively bears are coming in from across the province, mentioned John Paczkowski, human wildlife coexistence staff lead with Alberta Forestry and Parks.
“Some individuals are nonetheless on the market snowboarding and snowshoeing, going to the backcountry. However it is time to, you recognize, mud off your bear spray,” he mentioned. “Ensure you’re carrying bear spray [and] know learn how to use it.”
Paczkowski additionally recommends these spending time exterior journey in teams, make loads of noise, handle attractants like rubbish and leash their canine.
Large males head to valley bottoms to seek out meals
Bear No. 122 was photographed by a distant digital camera on Monday.
It is no shock that The Boss, who previously has been estimated to weigh 450 kilos, is among the many first grizzlies noticed within the space this spring, based on conservationists.
Massive male bears sometimes emerge from their dens first, adopted by single females — females with cubs convey up the rear, mentioned WildSmart program director Nick de Ruyter.
He mentioned the probabilities of encountering a bear are highest right now of yr, with pure meals sources nonetheless scarce.
“They’re hungry, they’re in search of meals. As a result of there’s snow up excessive, the one meals they’ll discover is within the valley bottoms,” mentioned de Ruyter.
“So, we’re sharing this finite area within the valley bottoms with bears and different wildlife: elk and deer and cougars and wolves and coyotes.”
In the course of the spring months, bears sometimes feed on carcasses, grasses, dandelions and different crops, he added.
“Sadly, inexperienced grass and dandelions develop in backyards, playgrounds, parks, sports activities fields, alongside trails, alongside highways. And that is why additionally the springtime is additional harmful for wildlife,” mentioned de Ruyter.
De Ruyter and Paczkowski are amongst these sharing bear security info Saturday at Bear Day, an training occasion occurring on the Canmore Nordic Centre Day Lodge.
Anybody who exhibits up can apply spraying bear spray, find out about bear behaviour and watch a bear trapping demonstration.
The province says bear sightings or harmful wildlife exercise might be reported to Fish and Wildlife by calling 1-800-642-3800.
Banff Nationwide Park mentioned space closures could also be carried out as bear exercise ramps up. Energetic closures might be posted online.
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