Wildlife photographer Mike Reece had an unexpected encounter with a black bear while searching for owls at Fish Creek Provincial Park. Reece described coming face-to-face with the bear, just four feet away, as it peered at him. Startled, Reece attempted to scare the bear away, but it swiftly ran towards the river.
Keen to avoid another encounter, Reece turned back only to find the bear again near a beaver dam. The bear was seen climbing logs and foraging for food, causing a commotion among the beavers in the area. Reece shared that it was an eventful evening witnessing the bear in action.
In light of the encounter, Reece plans to carry bear spray for future visits to Fish Creek. Authorities confirmed that the black bear is likely a juvenile and has been spotted multiple times in the park since June 16, particularly in areas like Marshall Springs, Votier’s Flats, and Bebo Grove.
Although there have been no reports of aggressive behavior from the bear, Alberta Fish and Wildlife Enforcement Services stated that the bear has been sighted within the park’s green spaces. These sightings are not uncommon, according to Calgary wildlife biologist Sara Jordan-McLachlan, who explained that the park’s abundant food sources make it an attractive habitat for bears.
The City of Calgary noted that it does not track bear sightings directly but listed 11 neighborhoods, mostly in the southwest quadrant, frequented by bears. Last year, FWES relocated two bears captured in Calgary, highlighting the presence of bears in urban areas. Jordan-McLachlan emphasized the importance of being prepared for bear encounters and advised against actively seeking out bears to prevent potential aggressive interactions.