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Bear Safety

Cape Carraholly Retreat is located within the vast and semi- remote wilderness of tÉ™mtÉ™míxÊ·tÉ™n/ Belcarra Regional Park and the Great Bear Rainforest. In order to enjoy the benefits of immersing yourself in the outdoors, we recommend that you first review this important information regarding bear safety. The Great Bear Rainforest is home to both black bears and grizzly bears. Please be respectful of wildlife while staying at Cape Caraholly; you are sharing the land with them. Bears are curious animals and are more scared of you than you are scared of them. Although bear encounters are not common, you must be aware of:

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  • Preventing encounters

  • Identifying bear type

  • Responding to encounters

  • Using bear spray

 

In a state of emergency, please call 911. 

preventing Encounters

  • Do NOT leave any food or garbage waste outdoors

  • Clean BBQs as much as possible to limit odor

  • Have a walking companion as often possible while exploring the area

  • ​Carry bear spray with you while hiking the trails

  • Make noise while exploring the outdoors to let bears know you are present

    • Bears will often avoid areas with noise; the most dangerous situations are when you surprise a bear with your presence

  • Monitor signs of bears including tracks, droppings, diggings, ripped logs, and flipped rocks 

  • Keep dogs on leashes since dogs can provoke bears to use defensive behavior

  • Explore the area during daylight hours

  • Report any large dead animals on-site to team members immediately

identifying bear type

Black Bear:

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  • Color of fur varies from white, black, brown, reddish brown, blueish-gray 

    • Brown “black” bears are often mistaken as grizzly bears

  • Omnivores with an 80 % vegetarian diet

  • Most active from April- November

  • Adult males are about 60-90 cm at the shoulder in size

  • No shoulder hump

  • Short dark claws

  • Taller ears

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Grizzly Bear:

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  • Fur is dark brown, various shades of brown, blonde, and silvery (grizzled)

  • Shoulder hump

  • Longer, lighter claws

  • Round ears

  • Adult males are about 90 to 110 cm at the shoulder in size

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Responding to encounters

**Guests have the responsibility to report bear sightings to staff on-site by calling the business phone line 604 559 2484, extension 1**

Bear is AWARE of Your Presence:

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  • When bears become aware of your presence, they may act defensively by charging and “bluffing” by turning away at the last moment. They may also growl, snap their jaws, and press their ears back.

  • Remain calm. Do not scream or make a sudden movement. 

  • Talk to the bear firmly to let the bear know that you are not a prey animal. They may jump onto their hind legs and smell the air to try and identify you. 

  • Back away slowly and calmly. NEVER run. 

  • Appear big. If possible, stand on an elevated surface. Lift your arms. Lift any small children off of the ground. 

 

 

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Bear Approaches and is DEFENSIVE:

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  • The bear may be defensive as a result of eating, protecting its offspring, or by being surprised by your presence.

  • Remain calm and do not run away.

  • Try to appear as non-threatening.

  • Speak to the bear in a calm voice.

  • If the bear stops approaching, move away slowly.

  • If the bear continues to approach, do not move, continue talking to the bear, and use your bear spray.​

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defensive Attack:​

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  • This is the most common form of attack

  • Use bear spray

  • Defensive attacks usually last 2 minutes or less

  • If the attack continues, the bear may now be showing a predatory attack

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Bear Makes Contact: Black Bears

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  • FIGHT BACK, do NOT play dead

  • Use intimidation by hitting the bear with a stick or rock

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Bear is AWARE of Your Presence:

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  • When bears become aware of your presence, they may act defensively by charging and “bluffing” by turning away at the last moment. They may also growl, snap their jaws, and press their ears back. 

  • Remain calm. Do not scream or make a sudden movement. 

  • Talk to the bear firmly to let the bear know that you are not a prey animal. They may jump onto their hind legs and smell the air to try and identify you. 

  • Back away slowly and calmly. NEVER run. 

  • Appear big. If possible, stand on an elevated surface. Lift your arms. Lift any small children off of the ground. 

 

 

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Bear Approaches and is NON DEFENSIVE:

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  • Bears may appear as non-defensive if they are curious about you or your food or if they view you as prey. Curious bears will often have their head and ears tilted upwards, not against their head 

  • Talk firmly

  • Move out of the bear’s path.

  • If the bear follows, do not move but stand your ground.

  • Shout and use aggression to intimate the bear.

  • If the bear approaches again, use bear spray​.

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predatory Attack:​

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  • Bear may stalk you and then attack

  • Escape to a building, car, or up a tree

  • Use your bear spray

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Bear Makes Contact: Grizzly bears

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  • Play dead

  • Lie on your stomach with legs apart and cross hands behind neck (to make it more difficult to get flipped over and to protect head and neck)

  • Wait for the bear to leave​

Using Bear Spray

  • Carry bear spray with you at all times while exploring the nearby hiking trails. You are responsible for bringing your own bear spray; we do not provide it to guests.

  • Carry bear spray in a draw holster at your hips, NOT inside your backpack

  • Bear spray should be used as a last resort when a bear is charging at you

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Using​ Bear Spray:

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  • Remove the safety clip

  • If possible, try and position yourself to have the bear downwind from you (to avoid spraying yourself)

  • Hold the can with 2 hands, one on the trigger and one on the body of the can

  • Aim slightly downwards

  • Begin spray when the bear is around 30 ft away

  • Spray in a zigzag pattern to create a cloud of spray between the bear and yourself

  • If the bear continues to charge, aim the spray to the bear’s face

  • Keep spraying until the bear moves direction

Extra resources

Parks Canada: Safe Travel in Bear Country

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BC Parks: Wildlife Safety

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Village of Belcarra: Bears in Belcarra

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