Bear-y season prompts warning for Jasper National Park

A grizzly bear eating berries in the wild. (Jason Leo Bantle/All in the Wild Photography)

Summer is in full swing and that means it’s berry season, which also means bears will be out feasting.

Parks Canada issued an advisory for visitors to Jasper National Park that berry bushes bordering trails, roads and campgrounds will attract black and grizzly bears.

Both types of bears are omnivorous and are hearty consumers of berries and fruit, along with insects, fish and more.

They eat large amounts of berries to, in part, build up fat reserves ahead of winter.

Grizzly bears can eat around 150,000 berries a day, according to Parks Canada.

When bears are feeding, it can be easy to surprise them, and the organization has a number of tips to stay safe while out in nature.

These include:

• make noise while on trails;
• travel in tight groups;
• travel slowly if you are running or cycling;
• do not wear earbuds;
• carry bear spray, keep it accessible and know how to use it;
• watch for fresh signs a bear has been in an area; and
• if you see a bear, stay calm, back away slowly and leave the area without running.

People in Jasper National Park are asked to report bears they see to Jasper Dispatch at 780-852-6155.

Jasper National Park has a grizzly bear population of around 100-120.