Photo Credit: Laura Hancharuk

By Shane Clausing

Bear sighting

Bear sighting in Grande Prairie prompts safety reminder while in parks

Jul 10, 2020 | 5:00 AM

Residents in Grande Prairie are being reminded to be cautious while walking in park areas in the city after a black bear was spotted wandering around Muskoseepi Park and other areas of the city on Wednesday, following other sightings of wildlife in recent days.

“It (the park) is a good habitat for wildlife,” explained Mike Trepanier the Regional Human Wildlife Conflict Specialist for the northwest region. “Deer, moose and of course bears do follow the creek system.”

“In this particular instance, the bear actually came from Signature Falls and crossed through South Patterson and then got into Muskoseepi Park and eventually was (caught) just south of 100 Avenue where our guys (Alberta Fish and Wildlife) successfully tranquilized it.”

Trepanier says that the bear wandered around the city for over 24 hours, based on reports from the public that Alberta Fish and Wildlife received.

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During the bears 24 hours in the city, it was reported to have ate food from a bird feeder and also licked somebody’s barbeque as a source of food.

Trepanier says this is likely what led the bear to remain in the city.

“We certainly encourage people to remove bird feeders in the summertime, because bears will be attracted to them and to clean up their barbeques after each use. Bears can be attracted to barbeques from the scents.”

While the bear was exploring the city, there were no reports it attacked anyone or caused any damage.

“In this particular case, this bear would actually encounter people and run away, which is what would happen in a majority of incidents where people encounter bears,” said Trepanier.

Photo Credit: Laura Hancharuk

While the bear was contained, Trepanier says that if you see a bear in the city to call 911 or Alberta Fish and Wildlife.

While the bear caused no harm during his time in the city, Trepanier explains what you should do if you come in close contact with a bear.

“We recommend that people do not turn their back on the bear and to back away slowly and do not run. We always recommend while hiking in these areas to make lots of noise so that any wildlife in the area would hear them coming and probably move away from the people before they were even spotted.”

Trepanier adds that with Grande Prairie so close to the mountains and wilderness that bear sightings are semi-common in the city because of its park system, which stretches from South Bear Creek through most of the city’s core.

After the bear was tranquilized it was relocated back into the forest.

Trepanier notes that tranquilizing a bear is Alberta Fish and Wildlife’s last option and they would normally try to lead it to somewhere safe. However, because of how close the bear was to the city, they had to tranquilize it.