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Parks Canada says charges have been filed against two hikers who encountered a grizzly bear with their leashed dog in Banff National Park on Sunday, July 19.
Video of the encounter on the Taylor Lake Trail shows two people, one seen on camera and the other recorded, backing down the trail as the grizzly bear follows them.
Washington state resident Brooke Koski told Storyful that her husband, Craig, initially encountered the bear alone while running ahead of Brook on a trail.
Footage captured by Brook shows the bear slowly following Craig as he walks back, facing the bear with their dog Lola.
In the video, Craig can be heard yelling, “Get away!”
Brook, who was filming the footage, shouts, “You’re too close!”
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Their dog Lola runs back and forth between them, barking at the bear from time to time.
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The video ends with the hikers still backing away from the grizzly as it runs off the trail.
Photo: Leah Pengelly, Parks Canada.
Mother bear #142 with her cubs in Banff National Park in an undated photo.
Video of the collision was posted on Instagram and Parks Canada rangers were able to identify the people involved.
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Regulatory fees under Canada’s National Parks Act apply for keeping a dog off-leash in a national park.
Parks Canada says bears and other wild animals can react aggressively to dogs they perceive as a threat, resulting in injury or death.
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It said the bear in the video was identified as Bear 142, a tagged female grizzly bear.
“Off-leash dogs can also cause stress to wildlife, causing them to avoid important habitats and food sources,” Parks Canada said in a statement.
“Always keep your pets on a leash when visiting national parks.”
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A grizzly bear surprises a skier on the slopes of Lake Louise, Alta.
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— With files from Karen Bartko, Global News.
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