The wilderness areas of West Central Alberta are among the most scenic recreation regions anywhere in Canada, providing countless opportunities for people to enjoy the great outdoors in majestic splendour.
Whether it's camping, fishing, hiking, quadding or just day-driving and sightseeing, the region has become more popular with area residents and visitors from the big cities.
Yet the area is also home for some of the largest wildlife populations in the province, being habitat for deer, elk, moose, bears, cougars, coyotes, wolves and many, many other creatures.
Unfortunately the bringing together of wild animals and more and more people in the region will inevitably lead to unexpected encounters, some of which have the potential to be very dangerous or even deadly.
A few recent examples of close calls with wildlife in the region show some of the potential dangers out there:
• A grizzly bear chased two people on an all-terrain vehicle near the Clearwater Trading Campground west of Caroline. There were unconfirmed reports of a sow with two cubs in the area.
• Campers sighted a grizzly bear in their campground along the Little Red Deer River west of Water Valley.
• A couple fishing on the Fallen Timber Creek spotted a large cougar advancing towards them. They discharged a bear banger deterrent device, which scared the animal off.
Mountain View BearSmart Society (MVBS) was formed several years ago following the death of a bow hunter in a grizzly bear attack near Bergen. Since then the society's volunteers have worked tirelessly to ensure that people visiting and working in the West Country do so in safety.
And a big part of staying safe when it comes to unwanted wildlife encounters is being aware of how to avoid trouble and how to get out of it if it does occur, say society officials.
“Always be aware of your surroundings, making enough noise that wildlife will hear you coming, and give all wildlife plenty of space to move away from you,” said MVBS board member Jane Bicknell. “Know how to reduce the likelihood of an encounter and be prepared should an encounter take place.”
There have been a number of serious wildlife encounters in the province this year, including the death of a woman in a bear attack outside Fort McMurray in May.
Thankfully all the recent wildlife encounters in this region have ended without incident. Nevertheless, throughout the remainder of the busy summer season, anyone visiting the district's wilderness areas is advised to always be wildlife safe.
