Two individuals lost their lives due to a grizzly bear attack in Alberta’s Banff National Park, according to an announcement from Parks Canada. The alert about the bear attack was received late Friday from a GPS device, pinpointing the incident within the park in the Red Deer River Valley. Unfortunately, due to unfavorable weather conditions, helicopters couldn’t be deployed, requiring the response team to reach the location by ground.
During the early hours, the team located the two deceased individuals and had to euthanize the bear following its exhibition of aggressive behavior. Subsequently, a closure has been imposed in the areas around Red Deer and Panther valleys until additional notice is given.
Banff National Park, a notable tourist attraction welcoming over four million visitors annually, is a habitat for both grizzly and black bears. The park has now taken precautionary measures to manage any unforeseen circumstances and to ensure the safety of the visitors, following the tragic incident.
Carrying bear spray, a firearm, or other tools can be effective in fending off a bear attack. Most encounters with bears, however, are not fatal as the bears will typically retreat. Still, some instances are much more serious, and can absolutely be deadly encounters. Being prepared in the wilderness is a must, regardless of where you’re heading.
