Grizzly bear attacks rare, but a risk in wilderness, experts say after Banff deaths
CTV
Grizzly bear experts say fatal attacks are extremely rare, but it's always a risk when people venture into the wilderness.
Grizzly bear experts say fatal attacks are extremely rare, but it's always a risk when people venture into the wilderness.
Two people were killed on the weekend by a grizzly bear in the backcountry of Banff National Park in Alberta.
Kevin Van Tighem, who worked as a biologist in the national parks and wrote the book "Bears Without Fear," said it's tragic for the victims and their families.
"It's a horrible thing to have happen," he said in an interview. "The family doesn't come out of it (unscathed), so I really feel for everybody involved."
Another bear expert who's also a family friend of one of the two people killed said both the couple and their dog died.
"These were very experienced outdoors people. I don't know if they had bear spray on them. I highly doubt they had food sources that were left out," said Kim Titchener, who has a company called Bear Safety and More.
"This might be a wrong place, wrong time situation."
