트레킹 중에 곰을 만나게 될 경우 대처법( Parks Canada & 월간 산에서)

 

 

 

 

⊙곰 대처법… 트레킹 중 최대의 적 곰

▲ 도로에서 만난 그리즐리베어. 봄에는 도로 주변까지 내려와 꽃을 먹지만 7~8월에는 고산에서 열매를 주로 먹는다.

곰은 검은 곰(Black Bear)과 회색곰(Grizzly Bear)이 있다.

검은 곰은 1.5m 정도 크기에 사람의 인기척을 들으면 미리 피하기 때문에 검은 곰이 사람을 의도적으로 공격하는 경우는 드물다.

 반면 회색곰은 2.5m로 더 크고 훨씬 공격적이라 위험하다.

특히 임신 중이거나 새끼가 있을 경우 더 위험하다.

캐나다에서는 곰의 공격으로 인한 인명사고가 간간이 일어난다.

곰이 사람을 공격하는 데는 이유가 있다고 한다. 첫째 새끼에게 접근할 때,

둘째 곰의 먹이(주로 열매)에 접근할 때,

셋째 갑자기 마주쳤을 때,

넷째 먹을 것이 부족해 배가 고파 먹이를 뺏기 위해 공격한다.

곰과 마주칠 경우 등을 보이지 말고 마주본 상태에서 서서히 뒷걸음으로 곰과 멀어져야 한다.

등을 돌리고 빠르게 도망가면 곰도 놀라서 덤빌 수 있다.

곰은 둔한 것 같아도 시속 60km까지 달린다.

아무리 발 빠른 사람도 잡힌다는 얘기다.

회색곰을 만나면 나무 위로 도망가도 된다.

그러나 검은 곰은 나무를 잘 타므로 소용없다.

최악의 경우 쓰러져 죽은 척한다.

그러나 그리즐리는 코로 냄새를 맡아보고 그냥 지나가지만

검은 곰은 오히려 먹이로 오인할 수 있으므로 조용히 물러나야 한다.

검은 곰은 죽은 것도 먹는다.

가장 좋은 방법은 곰과 마주치지 않도록 미리 예방하는 것이다.

각 트레일 입구에는 안내판이 있고 ‘곰 주의’를 알리는 경고문이 항상 붙어 있다.

 내용을 보면 트레일에 따라 4인 이상 산행이 의무(mandatory)인 곳이 있고 권장사항(recommended)인 곳이 있다.

 의무 지역은 그만큼 곰 출현 가능성이 높다는 것이다.

산행 중에는 큰 소리로 동료들과 이야기하며 일부러 소리를 내라고 권장한다.

심지어는 베어벨(Bear Bell)을 끊임없이 울려 곰이 사람의 기척을 알아채고 스스로 피하도록 해야 한다.

다만 정면으로 곰과 마주친 상황에서는 오히려 시끄럽게 하거나 물건을 던지면 곰의 공격을 부추길 수 있다.

적극적인 대처 기구로 베어벨과 베어건(Bear Gun), 베어스프레이(Bear Spray)가 있다.

가급적 지참하고 다니는 게 좋다.

베어건은 엄청난 소리를 내서 곰이 놀라 도망가게 하는 장치이고,

 베어스프레이는 곰에게 뿌리는 최루가스이다. 베어스프레이를 뿌릴 때는 5~6m 거리에서 뿌려야 하며 바람 방향에 주의해야 한다.

맞바람이 불면 뿌리는 사람이 스프레이를 맞는다.

맞바람이라도 급하면 호흡을 멈추고 쏴야 한다.

▲ 베어스프레이. 베어벨은 곰의 접근을 막는 예방책이므로 최루가스인 스프레이를 준비하는 게 좋다. 종류에 따라 분사거리가 다르다.

캐나다에서는 곰이 마을에 내려와 쓰레기통을 뒤져 먹이를 찾다가 인명사고가 나는 경우도 있다.

그래서 곰이 한 번 마을에 내려오면 마취총을 쏴서 수십km 떨어진 산에 헬기로 내려준다.

두 번째로 내려오면 표식을 달아 다시 보내고, 세 번째로 내려오면 사살한다. 엘크 등 다른 동물도 같은 식으로 처리한다.

한국사람들은 곰을 잡지 않고 왜 이리 불편하고 위험하게 사느냐고 하겠지만 캐나다인들의 생각은 다르다.

캐나다 사람들은 캐나다로키를 곰의 나라, 야생동물이 주인인 땅이라 생각한다.

한 번은 곰이 가정집 안마당에 들어왔다가 쓰레기를 버리러 나온 아줌마와 마주쳐 다리를 물고 달아났다.

병원에 실려간 아줌마에게 기자들이 몰려와 인터뷰를 하자

“사람이 곰의 땅에 살다보면 그럴 수도 있는 일인데 뭘 그리 호들갑이냐”라고 하여

다음날 ‘디스 이즈 캐나다인( This is Canadian)’이라는 제목으로 기사가 났다고 한다.

캐나다인들의 사고방식을 엿볼 수 있는 일화다.

곰 말고도 덩치 큰 포유류가 많다.

퓨마, 늑대, 엘크(큰 뿔을 가진 사슴), 캐나다 스라소니 등은

특히 발정기에 사람을 공격할 수 있으니 대형 포유류는 접근하지 않는 게 좋다.

모든 야생동물에게는 먹이를 주거나 만지거나 하는 것은 법으로 금지되어 있으며,

야생곰과는 100m 이상, 다른 동물은 30~50m 이내로 접근하는 것도 원칙적으로는 불법이다.

그러나 도로에서 차를 타고 가다 동물과 마주치면 속도를 줄여 구경하기도 한다.

도로 주행 중 차들이 길게 늘어서 천천히 가고 있다면 야생동물을 구경하고 있는 중이다.

늘어선 차량의 길이에 따라 동물의 인기 척도를 알 수 있다.

 

AVOID an encounter: the best approach

Bears are extremely sensitive to the stress of human activity. You can help protect these animals by avoiding encounters with them.

• Make noise! Let bears know you're there. Call out, clap, sing or talk loudly especially near streams, dense vegetation and berry patches, on windy days, and in areas of low visibility. Bear bells are not enough.
• Watch for fresh bear sign. Tracks, droppings, diggings, torn-up logs and turned-over rocks are all signs that a bear has been in the area. Leave the area if the signs are fresh.
• Keep your dog on a leash at all times or leave it at home. Dogs can provoke defensive behaviour in bears.
• Larger size groups are less likely to have a serious bear encounter. We recommend hiking in a tight group of four or more. Never let children wander.
• Use officially marked paths and trails and travel during daylight hours.
• If you come across a large dead animal, leave the area immediately and report it to park staff.
• Dispose of fish offal in fast moving streams or the deep part of a lake, never along stream sides or lake shores.
  

Bear Spray

Carry bear spray with you at all times on the trail, and know how to use it.

Bear spray can be effective with some bears when used properly. Be aware that wind, spray distance, rain, freezing temperatures and product shelf life can all influence its effectiveness.

Familiarize yourself with the proper use of bear spray (including the manufacturer’s specific instructions) and keep it readily accessible.

If you SEE a bear

Stop and remain calm. Get ready to use your bear spray. Do not run away. OBSERVE:

Is the bear UNAWARE of your presence?

Move away quietly without getting its attention.

Is the bear AWARE of your presence?

Bears may bluff their way out of an encounter by charging and then turning away at the last second. Bears may also react defensively by woofing, growling, snapping their jaws and laying their ears back.

• Stay calm. Your calm behaviour can reassure the bear. Screams or sudden movements may trigger an attack.
• Speak to the bear. Talk calmly and firmly. This lets the bear know you are human and not a prey animal. If a bear rears on its hind legs and waves its nose about, it is trying to identify you.
• Back away slowly. Never run! Running may trigger a pursuit.
• Make yourself appear BIG. Pick up small children and stay in a group.
• Do not drop your pack. It can provide protection.

If you must proceed, make a wide detour around a bear or wait at a safe distance for it to move on.

If the bear APPROACHES

Stop and remain calm. Get ready to use your bear spray. Do not run away. Assess the bear’s behaviour and determine why it is approaching. 

Is it DEFENSIVE?

The bear is feeding, protecting its young and/or surprised by your presence. It sees you as a threat. The bear will appear stressed or agitated and may vocalize.

• Try to appear non-threatening.
• Talk in a calm voice.
• When the bear stops advancing, start slowly moving away.
• If it keeps coming closer, stand your ground, keep talking, and use your bear spray.
• If the bear makes contact, fall on the ground and play dead. Lie still and wait for the bear to leave.

Is it NON-DEFENSIVE? 

A bear may be curious, after your food, or testing its dominance. In the rarest case, it might be predatory–seeing you as potential prey. All of these non-defensive behaviours can appear similar and should not be confused with defensive behaviours. 

The bear will be intent on you with head and ears up.

• Talk in a firm voice.
• Move out of the bear’s path.
• If it follows you, stop and stand your ground.
• Shout and act aggressively.
• Try to intimidate the bear.
• If it approaches closely, use your bear spray.

Handling an ATTACK

Most encounters with bears end without injury. If a bear actually makes contact, you may increase your chances of survival by following these guidelines. In general, there are 2 kinds of attack:

Defensive

This is the most COMMON type of attack.

• Use your bear spray.
• If the bear makes contact with you: PLAY DEAD!

PLAY DEAD! Lie on your stomach with legs apart and position your arms so that your hands are crossed behind your neck. This position makes you less vulnerable to being flipped over and protects your face, the back of your head and neck. Remain still until you are sure the bear has left the area. 

These defensive attacks are generally less than two minutes in duration. If the attack continues, it may mean it has shifted from defensive to predatory—FIGHT BACK!

Predatory

The bear is stalking (hunting) you along a trail and then attacks. Or, the bear attacks you at night. This type of attack is very RARE. 

• Try to escape into a building, car or up a tree.
• If you cannot escape, do not play dead.
• Use your bear spray and FIGHT BACK.

FIGHT BACK! Intimidate that bear: shout; hit it with a branch or rock, do whatever it takes to let the bear know you are not easy prey. This kind of attack is very rare, but it is serious because it usually means the bear is looking for food and preying on you. 

It is very difficult to predict the best strategy to use in the event of a bear attack. That is why it is so important to put thought and energy intoavoiding an encounter in the first place.

 
Cyclist and a buffaloberry bush 
W. Karhoffer

Cyclists and trail runners

Your speed and quietness put you at risk for sudden bear encounters.

• Slow down through shrubby areas and when approaching blind corners.
• Make noise, travel in groups, be alert and always watch ahead.

Backcountry camping

To stay safe and protect wilderness, travel with two goals in mind: limiting your impact by avoiding encounters and managing your food, food smells and garbage.

 
Backcountry campground set-up

• Camp in designated areas where provided.
• If random camping, set up cooking, eating, and food storage areas at least 50 metres downwind from your tent. Ensure good visibility so animals cannot approach unseen. Avoid camping, cooking or eating near running water, thick brush, animal trails or berry patches.
• Keep yourself and campsite odour-free. Keep sleeping bags, tents, and sleeping clothes free of food, food odours or beverages.
• Leave smelly cosmetics at home. Store toiletries and personal items with food.
• Store your food, pet food, livestock feed and garbage away from your tent.Use storage facilities in designated backcountry campgrounds. In random camping areas, hang it between two trees at least 4 metres above the ground and 1.3 metres from top and side supports or use bear resistant canisters instead.
• Wash and store all dishes and food utensils immediately after use. Strain food particles from dishwater and store with garbage. Dump dishwater in designated areas or at least 50 metres from your sleeping area.
• Pack out garbage—do not burn or bury it and do not dispose of it in pit privies.

If you see a bear by the road

Slow down—consider not stopping. Bears need to forage undisturbed in order to gain enough fat to survive the winter. Your decision to drive on by gives bears the space they need to make a living in this challenging landscape.

 

At all times . . .

• Observe and photograph bears from the safety of your car.
• Remain a respectful distance from the bear.
• Never feed a bear.

If you stop . . .

• Be aware of the traffic around you.
• Pull over where it is safe to do so.
• Use your hazard lights to alert other drivers.
• Watch for a few moments, take a quick photo, and then move on!
• If a traffic jam develops, move on. It is unsafe for people and bears.

What happens to a bear when it encounters people?

1. It can alter its path of travel or abandon an area, displacing it from important habitat.
2. It can react aggressively: this usually only happens when the bear is surprised at close range and feels threatened. Serious human-bear encounters may result in the bear's destruction and loss from the ecosystem.
3. It becomes habituated: with frequent, repeated exposure to people, a bear loses its natural wary behaviour and becomes increasingly bolder. It is more likely to enter a campground or townsite where food or garbage may be improperly stored.

How you can help protect bears

The best thing you can do for bears is to limit their exposure to you.

• Consider not stopping when you see a roadside bear.
• Put all garbage in bear-proof garbage bins.
• Keep your picnic or camping site attractant-free. Move the food, cooler, dirty dishes, recyclables, BBQ, lotions and pet food into your vehicle, trailer or storage locker (tents are not bear-proof).
• Use official trails only and leave the wild trails to wildlife.
• Respect closures and group access requirements—they are in place for your safety and to give bears a chance to use critical habitat undisturbed.
• Pay attention to warnings—follow recommendations. Be careful when travelling through these areas, or choose a different route.

Conservation is not just about bears; it is about protecting the whole ecosystem. Parks Canada has a responsibility to protect wildlife and their habitats. As a national park visitor, you can help protect bears and reduce the likelihood of an unpleasant bear encounter by learning more about bear behaviour. 

For more information talk to Parks Canada Visitor Centre staff or check out the selection of books on bears and other wildlife at Friends retail outlets in the parks

BOTTOM LINE?

Give bears the space they need to make a living.

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Bear Spray

Whether you are hiking, picnicking, camping, biking, trail running, or paddling in Parks Canada’s Mountain Parks, carrying bear spray is a good idea. It may reduce your risk of injury if you are in an aggressive encounter with a bear. Using bear spray is always a last resort; do all you can to avoid a bear encounter in the first place. Prepare carefully before you head into bear country.

 
Bear spray canister

1. What is bear spray? 
It is a deterrent containing capsaicin, a chemical found in chili peppers. It comes in a small, portable spray canister and is intended to repel a bear in the event of a close encounter.

2. What does it do?

The canister releases a cone-shaped cloud of pepper spray to a distance of approximately 10 m and at a speed of over 100 km/h. When a bear walks into the spray, its eyes and skin will sting and it will have difficulty breathing—symptoms nasty enough to prompt a retreat. The spray is non-lethal: the bear will be uncomfortable, but unharmed.

3. What should I look for when buying bear spray?

• Check the expiry date
• Does it have a safety clip?
• Does it say bear spray or bear repellent? To be legal in Canada, the label must clearly show that it is intended for use on animals; the package volume cannot exceed 500 ml.
• Size and strength: a 225 ml can (about 10 seconds worth) with 0.75%-1% capsaicin is recommended.
  
  

 

Carry bear spray where you can 
reach it – fast

4. Before hitting the trail

• Read the instructions.
• Carry it in a holster you can easily reach with your dominant hand (if you are right-handed, carry it on the right side of your body). If you are biking, place it in the bike’s water bottle rack. Having it in your pack is a no-no—a surprise bear encounter can happen in seconds, and you want to be ready!
• Practice—spray a short burst outdoors to make sure the can is working properly and to become familiar with the spray radius and your reaction time. Practice reaching for your spray and undoing the safety clip several times. Stores will sometimes have inert cans you can use to get the hang of it.
• At least one person in your group should carry it, but it’s best if everyone has their own (you want backup, right?).

5. Getting there

En route to the trail, carry it with the safety clip on in the trunk of your vehicle or in a sealed container. Avoid temperature extremes and the risk of puncturing. It is not permissible to carry bear spray on a commercial airline, even in your checked baggage.

6. When should I use it?

Bear spray is your “last-resort” tool: have it ready, but try to calmly and slowly get out of the bear’s way first. If the bear comes towards you, yell “Hey Bear!” The bear has to be in close range (less than a bus length) for your spray to be effective. Use only if the bear acts aggressively.

7. How do I use it?

Remove the safety clip and aim for the bear’s face (make sure the nozzle is pointing away from you). You want to create a wall of spray between you and the bear. Give quick, one-second bursts until the bear retreats. Leave the area immediately. Wind or rain may reduce the spray’s effectiveness; be careful not to get in the path of the spray.

8. How NOT to use it

Don’t spray it on yourself, your tent or your gear. Studies have found that the lingering smell actually attracts bears! If it can stop a bear in its tracks, imagine what it would feel like on you. Check the label for health precautions.

************************************************

Backcountry camping

To stay safe and protect wilderness, travel with two goals in mind:

limiting your impact by avoiding encounters and managing your food, food smells and garbage.

• Camp in designated areas where provided.
• If random camping, set up cooking, eating, and food storage areas at least 100 metres downwind from your tent.
• Ensure good visibility so animals cannot approach unseen.
• Avoid camping, cooking or eating near running water, thick brush, animal trails or berry patches.
• Keep yourself and campsite odour free.
• Keep sleeping bags, tents, and sleeping clothes free of food, food odours or beverages.
• Leave smelly cosmetics at home.
• Store toiletries and personal items with food.
• Use bear-resistant canisters that provide for food and garbage storage.
• They are mandatory in some northern national parks for overnight backcountry trips.
• Store your food, pet food, livestock feed and garbage away from your tent.
• Hang it between two trees at least 4 metres above the ground and 1.3 metres from top and side supports.
• Wash and store all dishes and food utensils immediately after use.
• Strain food particles from dish water and store with garbage.
• Dump dishwater in designated areas or at least 100 metres from your sleeping area.
• Pack out garbage do not burn or bury it. Same storage as food.

      

A Wildlife at-"risk" (and cancelled permit) site

Campers who fail to comply with the requirements of the "Bare Campsite" program 

.may have their camping permit cancelled, with no refund, and may be charged under the

• Coolers - full/empty
• Food - open/closed
• Garbage/Wrappings
• Dishes/Pots
• Pet Food/Bowls
• Bottles/Cans
• ANY item associated with food preparation
• Never leave ANY of these items unattended at your campsite:

When people leave their food out, bears and other species can lose their fear of humans. once an animal gets used to human food, it becomes a risk to public safety, and may be destroyed. By keeping a "bare" campsite, you are playing an important part in preventing the creation of "problem" animals.Backcountry Campsite

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Bears in the Mountain National Parks

Bear Basics

Grizzly Bears and Black Bears

Grizzly bears and black bears—two distinct bear species in the Canadian Rocky Mountains, yet sometimes tricky to tell apart—especially at a quick glance. 

About Black Bears | About Grizzly Bears

Comparing Black Bears and Grizzly Bears

Parks Canada wildlife specialists collect data on where bears spend their time in the national parks. If you are visiting here, you can help our conservation efforts by reporting your bear sightings. Knowing the difference between a grizzly bear and a black bear is helpful information. Here are some tips to help you become an expert bear-spotter. 

Colour | Size | Shape
Head | Ears | Claws

Black Bear

 
Grizzly Bear

 

Colour

Many people think that if a bear is black it must be a black bear and if it is brown it must be a grizzly bear. The truth is, both species come in a variety of shades. Colour alone is not a good indicator of species.

• The species we refer to here in western North America as the grizzly bear is found throughout the northern hemisphere in places like Japan, Europe, Asia and Scandinavia, where it is commonly referred to as the brown bear. Although they are often brown, grizzly bears can range in colour from jet black to light blond. 
• Many grizzly bears have natural highlights. Frosted tips on their hair give them a grizzled look, hence the name.
• Black bears range in colour from blond, and even white in some circumstances, to brown, cinnamon, and black.
• You often see a black bear with a white patch on its chest, called a chest blaze.

 

 
Black bear with chest blaze 
© Parks Canada / D. Rafla 

 
Black bear with colour variation 
© Parks Canada / A. Taylor

Size

Bears in the Rocky Mountain national parks are generally smaller than those found in other regions of North America. Grizzly bears are typically bigger than black bears, but female grizzlies and male black bears can weigh the same, so don’t rely on size alone to tell them apart. Bears here on average weigh in at:

• Male grizzlies: 150-300 kg
• Female grizzlies: 80-150 kg
• Male black bears: 80-150 kg
• Female black bears: 45-100 kg

Shape

• Grizzly bears have a very prominent muscle mass over their shoulders that creates a noticeable hump.
• The rump is lower than the shoulders on a grizzly.
• The shoulder hump is not prominent in black bears.
• The rump is higher than the shoulders on a black bear.

 
Black bears have higher rumps
and no massive shoulder hump

 
Grizzly bears have a 
noticeable shoulder hump 
D. Rafla

Head

• A grizzly bear has a large, round head and a dished or concave face.
• A black bear has a smaller head with an elongated snout. When you look at a black bear from the side, its head and snout form a straight line.

 

 
Black bear profile with 
straight head and snout
A. Athwal

 
Grizzly bear profile with concave face
A. Sheriff

 

Ears

• Grizzly bear ears are short, round and set well apart.
• Black bear ears are more prominent, being longer and pointier. 
  

Claws

• Grizzly bears have long, curved claws (5-10 cm) used for digging in the ground for roots, insects and ground squirrels.
• Grizzly bear claws vary in colour from white to dark with light streaks.
• When looking at grizzly bear tracks, claws marks are evident 5 cm or more in front of the toes.
• Black bears have short, black claws (3-4 cm), great for climbing trees.
• Claw marks are not always visible in black bear tracks; if you do see them, they are close to the toes. 

 
Grizzly bear claws (note the very dark fur colour) 
J. Sheperd