There were some tense moments for students and parents arriving at the Virgin Mary Catholic School from the snow in Canmore on Friday morning as a grizzly bear wandered the football field to eat dandelions.
Police were called to divert the bear, which took some time, a staff sergeant said. Ryan Singleton.
Police used their sirens to scare the bear, but she was more interested in breakfast than people nearby, he said.
“I definitely chose to eat instead of listening to us,” he said.
Eventually, police managed to push the bear to an area behind the golf course to the south, “where it should be,” Singleton said.
“It’s a normal (bear) activity for this time of year,” he said.
As a precaution, the school was closed for a short time.
Fish and wildlife officials also arrived on the scene Friday morning and patrolled the area after putting up signs to warn residents.
“There were a lot of people walking. The bear was not aggressive, but it was approaching vehicles,” Singleton said.
Alberta’s fish and wildlife say most of Alberta is a bear country, and those heading to the back of the country should carry noise devices and bear spray. A number of bear safety tips were also offered, including:
- If you meet a bear in the wild, follow these tips to avoid conflict;
- Do not run. Stay calm. Stay with your group and keep the children close. Assess the situation;
- Look around. If you see small or carcass animals, the bear will want to protect them. If you see one of the two, withdraw from them;
- Get ready to use bear spray;
- Pull back. Leave the area on the road you came from. Keep an eye on the bear without looking at it aggressively;
- See where to hide. As you retreat, look for a safe place, such as a car or a building;
- Talk to the bear in a soft, low voice. Let the bear know that you are a man, not an animal prey, and;
- Use the noise generator and get ready to protect yourself with bear spray.
Add Comment