The trail has run cold in the search for a badly injured female grizzly bear in Kananaskis Country.
A closure is still in place for an area near Mount Kidd RV Park where traps are set up, but the warning is in place for a broader region that is part of the home range of this bear, believed to be a 23-year-old female grizzly bear known as No. 88.
Officials with Alberta Parks and Environment say this bear has a history of breaking into vehicles, trailers and camps, noting there was an exceptionally poor berry crop this year, so this bear may be desperate to find food.
“The bear is still out there, but we don’t know exactly where it is because this bear doesn’t have a collar,” said Jill Sawyer, a spokesperson for Alberta Parks and Environment.
“It’s possible she’s died, although we don’t have any evidence of that, and it’s also possible she’s gone into the den already. We haven’t had any sightings or reports of sightings, so it’s unknown.”
The bear injured itself after trying to break into an unoccupied camper at Mount Kidd RV Park on Oct. 26. She cut herself on the camper and was bleeding heavily.
It’s believed to be the same bear that damaged a vehicle there last month, ripping off the bumper and a side mirror.
Park officials suspect it is bear 88, though they have yet to confirm that through DNA analysis.
“We did send DNA samples off, but we haven’t received the results back,” said Sawyer. “We should have that soon.”
The closure covers a significant portion of the land in and around Wedge Pond, including the southern section of Bill Milne and a portion of Mount Kidd RV Park and surrounding areas. That’s where bear traps are set.
A separate bear warning covers a wide area that takes in the Evan-Thomas Fireroad and Little Elbow.
“That area is under advisory because that’s the range of this particular bear,” said Sawyer. “That’s where we’re telling people to be cautious and aware.”
To avoid a surprise encounter with a bear:
• Make plenty of noise and travel in groups.
• Be aware of your surroundings. Look and listen for bears and their signs.
• Keep your pets on a leash.
• Carry bear spray, make sure it’s easily accessible and know how to use it.
For hunters to minimize their chance of a surprise encounter with a bear, they are advised to:
• Ensure food and other attractants are not stored in your tent, including clothes that may have been used during cooking or hunting if blood soiled.
• Food, carcasses and other attractants must be hung from a tree inaccessible to bears (3.5 metres above ground and 1.5 metres from nearby trees, and at least 100 metres from any tents or sleeping area).
• Carry bear spray, make sure it’s easily accessible and know how to use it.
• Hunt with others.
• Be cautious when tracking a wounded animal.
• When approaching a kill site use caution, approach from upwind, use binoculars to check if the site is clear and make as much noise as possible.
• When field dressing a carcass, make noise and have someone stand watch while you handle the carcass.
Report all bear sightseeing to 403-591-7755.
