What do you if you
find yourself this close to a bear? Do not show fear (easier said
than done, I know) and do not turn and run. Slowly back and walk
away. The best way to avoid a confrontation is to NOT surprise
the animal.
| The most famous
of Alberta's wildlife is the unpredictable Grizzly Bear. A
glimpse of this magnificent beast quickens the heart and raises
the blood pressure. Watch for them in open meadows, along
railway tracks, roadsides, lakeshores, and forest trails.
The best way to spot a bear is to watch for a group of excited
tourists standing and staring at something in the distance!! |
They are immensely strong with massive
shoulders and can roll a 200 pound log or rock as if it were a
baseball. When chewing on prey, such as elk, bears can actually
crush the larger bones in their teeth! Despite this, a large portion
of their diet is roots, berries and grasses. They are very good
at picking berries as their lips are not attached to their gums.
Bears also eat insects, small animals and rarely, large game (they
will eat the kill of other animals and have been known to dine
on road-kill). Usually a bear will go after the young of big game
rather than the elder animals. They love fish and during the summer
when food is plentiful bears can pack on 1 kilogram of weight
per day. They need this for their winter sleep.
Friendly
and fun animals, bears make great furry pets. Don't count
on it!! |
Grizzlies have brown or yellow tinted
coats of fur with white tips which give a grizzled appearance,
and thus the name. Some are as black as coal and others quite
light colored. The face is concave, eyes are small, ears are small
and rounded and you cannot miss the large hump at the shoulders.
