In the wake of two violent bear attacks in British Columbia, including one that proved fatal, an expert says anyone staring down a potential mauling must "avoid the temptation" to run.
The issue of how to make smart safety choices when around bears has hurtled to the forefront after several incidents across the country, including the two in B.C.
Last week, 72-year-old Bernice Evelyn Adolph, a respected Xaxli'p First Nations elder in Lillooet, was found dead near her home after what an autopsy concluded was an attack by a black bear. On Monday, a man in his 50s was seriously injured by a grizzly while he was picking berries in B.C.'s Central Coast region.
Steve Michel, who works as a human-wildlife conflict specialist for Parks Canada in Banff, Alta., said bears who act in a "non-defensive" manner -- that is, predatory -- are extremely rare.
But when faced with a bear, knowing the correct response is key to defusing the situation. And that correct response includes avoiding any fast moves.
"I recognize that it's easy for us to talk about what you should do, and it's very difficult for people when they're in that situation. But you really need to avoid the temptation to run," Michel told CTV.ca in a telephone interview.
"Running may elicit a natural response in the bear where they want to catch you. So you really want to stay as calm as possible, try to appear as non-threatening as possibly, and slowly back away."
Michel has routinely encountered bears as part of his job, and has been "bluff-charged" by a grizzly -- that's the term for when a bear rushes forward and then backs away, which is typical defensive behaviour.
It is unclear how the victims in B.C. interacted with the bears involved in the attacks. During a recent incident in Newfoundland and Labrador, a woman was bitten after she stopped her vehicle to watch a black bear in the Cache River area. The bear reached the woman through an open window, prompting officials to repeat warnings that drivers should never stop their cars to watch bears, and should not feed wild animals.
Michel said he teaches people to focus on the behavior of the bear -- whether it's acting for defensive or non-defensive reasons -- rather than whether it's a black bear or grizzly bear.
Defensive reasons include when a bear is in the middle of feeding, or when a female bear is with her cubs. In both instances, the bear may feel threatened and react in a sudden, defensive manner, Michel said.
If the bear is on the defensive, be passive.
"In any situation, we always encourage people to stay calm, back away slowly, and use your deterrent -- we always recommend bear spray in a national park situation, if you have it -- and make yourself appear large," Michel said.
A non-defensive action means a bear is being predatory, which rarely happens, especially with grizzly bears. But if you think the bear is being predatory, the aim should be to fight back.
"Be as aggressive as possible," he said.
In the end, the best way to prevent a bear attack is to avoid a bear encounter. Preventative steps include:
- Staying alert for indications that there's a bear in the area: tracks, droppings, diggings or signs of feeding.
- Keeping dogs on leashes or, better yet, at home. They can provoke defensive behaviour in a bear.
- Hiking with other people. Bears are more likely to avoid larger groups.