ALBERTA, CANADA, June 27 (Billings News Online) — A viral video of a woman and her dog being followed and repeatedly charged by a grizzly bear near Mount Engadine Lodge in Alberta, Canada, is drawing fresh attention to bear safety for hikers and travelers in grizzly country.
The footage, which circulated this week, shows the woman backing away while speaking to the bear as it circles and charges on the trail. No one was hurt, according to coverage of the incident.
Multiple reports place the encounter on the Rummel Lake Trail in Spray Lakes Provincial Park, in Kananaskis Country. One report citing Alberta Forestry and Parks said the location was near Mount Engadine Lodge.
The video was shared through Instagram, according to reports that traced it back to a friend’s post. The woman in the footage has not been publicly identified.
Wildlife guidance says the most important step is not to run. The National Park Service says running from a surprised bear can trigger a predatory reaction, and it says people should not run during a bluff charge. The Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee says bear behavior should determine the response and notes that bears can run faster than humans over short distances.
The guidance differs depending on the animal’s behavior. Officials advise backing away slowly from a bear that is not engaged, standing ground during a bluff or defensive charge, and using bear spray when appropriate.
The viral clip has become a reminder for hikers and travelers that encounters can happen quickly, even on well-traveled trails in bear country.
