Bear Awareness
In TRAVELER’s March issue, we feature Taku, British Columbia, an environmentally rich, habitat for grizzly and black bears. The animals travel along the river and find food there, according to Dr. Stephen Herrero, author of Bear Attacks: Their Causes and Avoidance. Here, we offer Herrero’s tips on preventing a bear attack.
Remember at all times that you are in bear country—and expect to see the creatures. “Most of the bears on the coast are well fed and used to interacting with other bears at close range,” he says. Because they are somewhat used to other animals, “they have a little better manners when bumping into people.”
Try to avoid surprise meetings at close range by making noise, preferably with your own voice. “It’s a distinct identification of what kind of animal is there, and it tends to be louder and carry farther than high-pitched sounds such as whistles,” says Herrero.
Always store food in bear-proof containers or suspend it about 12 feet off the ground between well-spaced trees.
Carry a bear deterrent, such as a pepper spray containing capsaicin, which shoots up to about 20 feet. In a study Herrero conducted, the spray was effective 80 percent of the time against grizzlies. It caused black bears to pause at least momentarily.
If you do come face-to-face with a bear, don’t panic. Although each encounter is different, Herrero says that most last only a minute or two. Stay calm and assess the situation. “Chances are the bear is going to feel more threatened by your presence than you do by his.” If you run, the bear may chase you, and bears can run one and a half times as fast as an Olympic sprinter.
Finally, relax and enjoy the rafting or hiking experience. Don’t let the threat of a bear encounter spoil your trip.
—Kathie Gartrell
Kathie Gartrell is TRAVELER’s TravelWise editor
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