A hiker was treated for minor injuries after being bitten by a black bear at Lake Louise in Banff National Park last week.
According to Parks Canada, staff received a report at about 4:45 p.m. on Friday that a person was hiking on the Lake Agnes trail when they encountered the bear.
The person was treated for minor injuries and reported the incident details to Parks Canada officials.
WATCH: Another dangerous encounter between a bear and tourist in the mountain parks has prompted Parks Canada to issue warnings in the Lake Louise area. Deb Matejicka reports.
Following the encounter, Parks Canada issued a warning for the trails and day-use areas in the Lake Louise area, which is uncommon according to wildlife management specialist Jon Stuart-Smith.
“I still think these incidences are still very rare when you do look at the number of visitors that do come to our parks,” Stuart-Smith said.
“So I don’t think that Parks Canada, at this point, would change our approach to managing wildlife and how we deal with these types of situations, but we will continue to take every effort we can to make sure people understand the ways that they can make themselves safe and the ways that they can help protect wildlife and maintain wildlife in our national parks.”
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Stuart-Smith said officials couldn’t say for sure whether the bear that bit the tourist was the same bear seen swimming in the lake earlier that day.
Parks Canada said officials will continue to monitor wildlife activity in the area.
Park users are encouraged to do their best to avoid surprise wildlife encounters by taking the following steps:
- Walk in groups and make noise
- Keep pets on a leash
- Keep small children close by
- Carry bear spray and know how to use it
- Store food and other animal attractants in vehicles or food lockers
- Be alert for signs and sounds of wildlife
Anyone who sees a bear or other wildlife in Banff National Park is asked to report it to Banff dispatch at 403-762-1473.
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