It’s buffalo berry season and this year’s bumper crop has made for happy bears throughout Alberta.
Buffalo berries are a favourite of grizzly and black bears, and both can consume up to 250,000 berries in a day. It is one of their primary sources of food and an abundance of them is good news for the long-term welfare of Jasper National Park’s bear population.
Buffalo berries are either red or yellow in colour and can be found throughout the lower valleys. They are quite bitter and leave a soapy aftertaste. It’s easy to see how popular this food is with our furry friends as bear scat is often dyed red from the berries.
With winter approaching, bears are focused on fattening up. As a result, they are easily caught off-guard when feeding. Â Given the proximity of buffalo berry bushes to the trails in Jasper National Park, the likeliness of bear encounters increases during berry season.
Visitor safety is a top priority for Parks Canada and we would like to remind visitors and residents that they share their surroundings with wildlife. Although bears are scared of humans and try to avoid us, a startled bear who is unaware of people approaching them may become aggressive and charge a person in order to defend themselves.
Parks Canada therefore encourages residents and visitors to remind themselves of basic bear safety precautions:
- Travel in groups when using the trails.
- Keep dogs on a leash. Dogs can provoke bears into becoming aggressive.
- Make plenty of noise to inform bears of your presence.
- Carry bear spray and make it easily accessible in case of an encounter.
- Properly store and dispose of any bear attractants.
- Do not enter an area if a bear is present. Walk away slowly and do not run
Bears are most active in the early morning and evening due to cooler temperatures; however, bears can be foraging for berries at any time of dayCyclists are reminded to also stay aware of their surroundings, especially at higher speeds and in areas of lower visibility. Incidents involving bears and cyclists have occurred in Jasper and across Alberta.
Buffalo berry bushes can also be found close to roads. Please watch for bears while driving and mind your speed when passing them.
Parks Canada staff are busy flagging and clearing the bushes in the campgrounds, where removal has drastically decreased bear encounters in previous years.
If you encounter a bear, please report it to Jasper dispatch at 780-852-6155. Keep up to date with bear sightings by visiting the Jasper National Park Information Centre or checking the Parks Canada website’s bear report at pc.gc.ca/jasper.
Parks Canada
Special to the 51°µÍø
