Bear attacks increasing in Canada

Brush with one last week left pair of hikers hurt. Here's what to do in the event of an encounter

- ANDY TAKAGI

As of 2021, there were 129 aggressive encounters with bears reported in Canada, up from 89 in 2017.

A bear attack in Alberta’s Waterton Lakes National Park on Tuesday left two hikers with non-life-threatening injuries.

Parks Canada said the two visitors were charged by a bear as they were hiking, were bitten and used bear spray to stop the attack.

“The bear has not been located, and the species is unknown at this time,” Parks Canada said in a statement, adding its wildlife experts are investigating the incident.

Bear attacks have become increasingly common in Canada, especially in Alberta.

Aggressive encounters with bears, as tracked by Parks Canada, have been increasing since 2017. Except for a brief and minor dip in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a year-over-year increase in aggressive encounters with bears.

As of 2021, there were 129 aggressive encounters reported, up from the 89 in 2017. Parks Canada’s measure of aggressive encounters cover everything from bears spotted on property to chasing hikers.