In Southwest Calgary’s Oakridge community, resident Glenn Suart had an unexpected encounter with a black bear running through the streets early one morning. Suart, along with his neighbors, alerted the authorities to the sighting, leading to the involvement of the Alberta Fish and Wildlife Enforcement Services. The bear was eventually tranquilized and safely removed from the area after a thorough operation by police and wildlife officers.
According to a statement from Alberta Fish and Wildlife, the captured female bear underwent a health assessment and was found to be uninjured and fit for release back into the wild. The bear was relocated to a remote area outside Calgary to ensure its well-being and survival.
Suart expressed surprise at the bear sighting, mentioning that in his 25 years living in the neighborhood, such an occurrence had never taken place before. The black bear captured in Oakridge was believed to be the same one spotted in different locations throughout southwest Calgary, including near the Glenmore Reservoir and South Glenmore Park.
Wildlife biologist Sara Jordan-McLachlan explained that the location of Southwest Calgary makes it a hotspot for bear activity due to its proximity to natural spaces and river corridors. While black bears are the more common species seen in Calgary, grizzly bears also reside relatively close to the city.
Reports of bear encounters continue across Alberta, with recent warnings issued for popular areas in Kananaskis Country following incidents of bear encounters with hikers. As bears focus on food to prepare for winter, residents and visitors in bear country are advised to remain cautious and prepared for potential encounters throughout the fall season.