Better behaviour needed around bears by visitors and locals alike, say experts

Living in the shadow of the Rocky Mountains means some of your neighbours mightbe large, furry and walk around on four legs.

With ongoing trail and park closures due to bear activity in and aroundthe town of Canmore, officials with Wildsmart a wildlifeeducation and outreach program sayconsistency during bear encounters is thekey toteaching bears to give humans a wide berth, and vice versa.

• Bear warnings issued for parks near Canmore

"If we all react the same way, these bears will get a consistent message from people and not want to come close to people and stay away from people," saysNick DeRuyter,education and outreach coordinator atWildsmart.

De Ruyter says consistencymeansnot only carrying bear spray, but using itif a bear comes too close.Keeping dogs on a leash at all times is another step De Ruyter recommends, adding visitors and locals are both guilty of letting dogs roam free on the trails.

"I don't think anyone can point a finger at one specific group, it's just as a whole we all need to do better, locals and visitors alike," said De Ruyter."Especially locals because we need to set an example for the visitors that are coming here."

Not your average bear

One high-profile bear has been making headlines this summer.

The exploits of Bear #148 Banff's local celebrity beastcontinue to makethe roundson social media.

This summer, 148 has wandered onto ahigh school rugby field,chased dogs out for a walk with their owners and evencharged a person walking with a stroller.

As a result of multiple encounters with humans, her fate is still in question.

• 'We want this bear alive': Thousands rally to save grizzly that's chased humans

Earlier this month, the province warned that if the grizzly exhibits aggressive behaviour towardpeople in provincially managed areas, officials might resort to killing it.

Over exposure

But with exposure to wildlife onsocial media can come some positive developmentssaysMichaelFark,general manager of municipal infrastructure with the town ofCanmore.

"I think that what's happening is that some people are becoming more aware certainly through social media there has been a lot of discussion around the dangers for the animals if there are negative interactions with people," says Fark.

"And because of that awareness there's more momentum behind trying to take stronger action."

• Killing Bear 148 'remains on the table' as grizzly that chased humans spotted again near Canmore

One of those actions includesremoving food sources from areas where bears and humans might collide.

With a fresh crop of berry bushes available in and around the town, Wildsmart have been removing the bushes from popular area frequented by both bears and people.

"There's an abundance of berries, so all we're trying to do is reduce the possibility for a human-bear encounters and try and keep that separation, so we remove the food source from the high human use areas," De Ruyter said.

Farksaid there will be discussions between the town and province on what are the best steps moving forward to protect wildlife while keepingpeople safe.

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• With files from Colleen Underwood