KANANASKIS COUNTRY – An injured grizzly bear in the area has forced the closure of Rawson Lake Trail and Sarrail Ridge Route in Kananaskis Country until further notice.
Alberta Parks spokesperson Bridget Burgess-Ferrari said the agency received multiple reports of the injured bear Thursday (Aug. 3). Conservation officers and bear technicians responded to the situation and enacted a closure.
Burgess-Ferrari said details on the file are limited at this time.
“The grizzly bear was described as being unable to bear weight on one of its front legs,” she said. “What I can say is that the closure is in place to protect both visitors to the area and the injured bear.”
The extent of the bear’s injury or how it was injured is not yet known to Alberta Parks. As information on its condition is limited, there is a chance the bear could become agitated depending on the extent of its injuries, said Burgess-Ferrari.
“If visitors get too close to the bear, it may become stressed and react aggressively. At the same time, if the injury is more serious, it is important to give the bear space so that staff can evaluate the situation and determine if additional actions are required,” she said.
Rawson Lake Trail and Sarrail Ridge Route were previously closed at the end of June after two grizzly bear encounters in the area.
Bears can be encountered anywhere in Kananaskis Country. To avoid a surprise encounter with a bear, Alberta Parks recommends making plenty of noise on trails, travelling in groups, being aware of surroundings, keeping pets on leash, and carrying bear spray and knowing how to use it.
All bear sightings must be reported immediately to Kananaskis Emergency Services at 403-591-7755.
This story will be updated once more information is available.
The Local Journalism Initiative is funded by the Government of Canada. The position covers Îyârhe (Stoney) Nakoda First Nation and Kananaskis Country.
