ALBERTA, CANADA, June 27 (Billings News Online) — A viral video from Alberta’s Kananaskis Country is reminding hikers and other travelers that the safest move in a bear encounter is usually not to run.
The footage shows a woman and her dog facing a grizzly bear on a trail while the animal circles and charges. In the clip, the woman keeps backing away slowly and speaking to the bear instead of bolting.
The U.S. National Park Service says running from a surprised bear can trigger a predatory response, and it warns people not to run during a bluff charge. The Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee says bears can outrun humans over short distances and advises people to back away slowly when the bear is not engaged.
The committee says the response should depend on the bear’s behavior, with people standing their ground during a charge and using bear spray when appropriate.
