WATCH ABOVE: A close encounter with a bear in Kananaskis has left an Alberta Parks worker fending for his life. As Sarah Offin reports, on must-have item when hiking likely saved him serious injury. Global’s Sarah Offin reports.
CALGARY – A well-prepared hiker was able to fend off an attacking bear in Kananaskis Country west of Calgary on Wednesday.
The bear charged at the Alberta parks employee and knocked him over as the man was working on flood recovery near the Jumpingpound Ridge Trail.
But the hiker released bear spray in the animal’s face and the bruin ran off. The hiker twisted his ankle when he fell, but was otherwise uninjured.
Brendan Cox with Alberta Fish and Wildlife says signs have been put up in the area and some trails have been closed while staff assess the situation. Canyon Creek Trail west of the Ing’s Mine trailhead to Powderface Road was still closed on Thursday.
The closure may be extended to the Jumpingpound Ridge Trail and officials are urging extra caution to anyone travelling in the area.
Conservation officers suggested the bear wasn’t preying on the man, and that instead its behaviour was consistent with having been startled.
With files from Global’s Sarah Offin and CFFR
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