Warning about female grizzly and cubs in Kootenay National Park expanded

A grizzly bear is captured walking along a trail by a camera trap. This image is one of more than 10,000 of this species within a dataset. (Supplied/Alberta Environment & Parks)

A warning about a female grizzly bear and two cubs within Kootenay National Park has been expanded.

Parks Canada said the warning now includes “the entire Rockwall Trail.”

The warning was originally put in place on Aug. 26 for the Floe Lake and Numa Pass areas.

Tuesday’s warning said the adult grizzly has shown “aggressive defensive behaviour,” while officials said on social media the bears have been displaying “bold behaviour.”

They said the bears have been “frequenting campgrounds along the trail, investigating the bear-proof food storage lockers, foraging for food and persisting around groups of people.”

Tuesday’s warning added park-goers should “be prepared to encounter a bear at any time in this area.”

Park-goers are advised to:

• make noise when travelling in this area;
• keep pets on-leash and a close eye on children;
• carry bear spray and know how to use it;
• never leave any food or garbage unattended;
• store all food, garbage and anything with odours; and
• keep a clean campsite.

The warning also comes after an Alberta man was running the Rockwall Trail near Floe Lake when he came face-to-face with a mother grizzly and her cubs in an open meadow.

Keith Kerr said despite taking precautions, the moment came fast.

First, one cub popped out. Then, the second cub appeared. Finally, the mother bear emerged.

The encounter quickly escalated as the mother bear made repeated bluff charges.

But eventually, the grizzlies moved off.

“I literally thought this was going to be it for me,” Kerr told CTV News.

Bear sightings can (and should) be called in to the Visitor Centre or Banff Dispatch at 403-762-1470.

With files from Manjot Singh