Hikers, bikers, and trail runners are warned to stay alert in Kananaskis Country and Banff National Park as grizzlies scour the mountains for buffaloberry, one of their favourite summertime foods.
These high-calorie yellow, orange and red berries grow on bushes and are essential to a grizzly bear’s diet.
Lean Year for Berries
According to parks officials and wildlife experts, this year’s buffaloberry crop is lean, so bears could travel further afield for their meal.
They could also be more protective of berry patches.
“There are berries in the Bow Valley, but it’s not looking like it’s going to be a good crop anywhere, nothing substantial at least, so that’s definitely a shame,” Nick de Ruyter, program director for Bow Valley WildSmart, said in a story reported by the Cochrane Eagle.
“It’s even thinner down in Kananaskis Country at this time.”
A grizzly can eat up to 100,000 buffaloberries a day.
Large males might devour double that amount!
Late in the season, these berry-feeding frenzies can keep a bear busy for 20 hours a day as they bulk up for winter hibernation
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Berry season is also prime time for human-bear encounters. Buffaloberries are often found in sunny areas along trails, roads, campgrounds, meadows, rivers and streams
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Trail users and campers can easily surprise a bear with its head down while munching on berries.
Berry Season Bear Advisory
Parks Canada has issued an official bear advisory for berry season, which typically lasts from mid-July to September.
Dan Rafla, a resource conservation manager for Parks Canada, told CBC News that bears can become super focused on eating as the first frost or snow approaches.
“If they find a really good area with lots of berries, they’ll persist in that area,” Rafla said.
“That’s really what’s going to help them survive the winter. I mean, there’s no food, beyond that, until next spring. This year isn’t nearly as good [for berries] as last year. So they’re going to have to travel more.”
Close Encounters
There have been several bear encounters in K-Country already.
Alberta Parks closed Rummel Lake in Spray Valley Provincial Park, 40 km south of Canmore, on July 28 after a grizzly with cubs charged a hiker who used his bear spray.
The provincial government also closed King Creek Day Use Area and King Creek Ridge Trail in K-Country following a similar close encounter with a grizzly and her cubs.
Tips for Travelling Safely in Bear Country
- Travel in tight groups
- Make noise
- Move slowly – running or biking raises the risk of startling a bear
- Carry bear spray, know how to use it, and have it easily accessible
- Don’t wear earbuds
- Keep dogs on a leash; depending on the study area analyzed, researchers found that 22 – 50% of bear attacks on humans involved a dog, often off-leash Â
Report bear sightings in Banff National Park by calling 403-762-1470
If you see a bear in Kananaskis Country, call 403-591-7755
