The entirety of Kananaskis Country and Bow Valley are under a Bear Warning.
Alberta Parks issued a Bear Warning for all provincial parks and protected areas within K-Country and Bow Valley, thanks to increased bear activity in the area.
That warning includes Bow Valley Provincial Park, Elbow River PRA, Little Elbow PRA, Sheep River Provincial Park, Bow Valley WPP, Evan-Thomas PRA, McLean Creek PRA, Spray Valley Provincial Park, Elbow Falls PRA, K-Country, and the Peter Lougheed Provincial Park.
According to Alberta Parks, thanks to this year's exceptional berry crop, all areas of K-Country have seen an increase in bear sightings in day use areas, campgrounds, trails, and along roadways.
That's on top of increased reports of close encounters with black bears and grizzly bears.
This warning came a day after Alberta Parks issued a Bear Closure for the Upper Kananaskis Lake Circuit Trail, from North Interlakes Day Use to White Spruce Day Use.
That Bear Closure also includes the 1982 Canadian Mount Everest Expedition Interpretive Trail and the entirety of the shoreline within that area.
This Closure came into effect because of multiple bears feeding in the area, along with a reported grizzly bear bluff charge.
Now that all of K-Country is under a Bear Warning, Alberta Parks is warning visitors to expect bear encounters in K-Country and that bears may be reluctant to move away from their food source.
When in Kananaskis Country and in Bow Valley, stay vigilant and keep an eye out for signs of bears and for bear food.
If a bear is seen, stop, speak calmly, and give them plenty of space while slowly leaving the area.
Because bear encounters can happen anywhere in K-Country at any time, Alberta Parks suggests keeping all attractants, including food, garbage, recycling, and pet food, secure from bears and never leave them unattended.
When out hiking, make plenty of noise, travel in groups, keep pets on leash, and carry bear spray in an easily accessible way.
To stay up to date on Bear Warnings and Bear Closures in Alberta, click here.