Grizzly bears, cougars, sheep and deer met without incident during G7, officials say
The G7 summit recently concluded in the picturesque wilderness destination of Kananaskis, Alberta, where officials successfully managed frequent animal encounters without any serious incidents. Alberta conservation officers and fish and wildlife officers were on hand to respond to encounters with grizzly bears, black bears, cougars, moose, bighorn sheep, and deer during the summit. According to Sheena Campbell from Alberta’s Ministry of Public Safety and Emergency Services, all interactions with wildlife were handled using standard methods to safely move the animals away, with no abnormal incidents reported.
Approximately 200 wildlife-related incidents were addressed during the summit, with half of them involving grizzly or black bears, as reported by Bryan Sundberg from Alberta Forestry and Parks. These incidents were minor in nature and required minimal intervention, with no need for wildlife relocations or harm. Response teams primarily used on-foot patrols to address wildlife complaints and employed noise-making activities as a deterrent. Additionally, thermal imaging cameras and RCMP drones were utilized to monitor wildlife activity in real-time, and specially-trained K9 teams, known as “bear dogs,” were deployed to support proactive measures and ensure the safety of attendees.
The decision to host the summit in the remote terrain of the Kananaskis wilderness posed a unique challenge due to the complex environment and the potential for wildlife encounters. Preventing interactions with bears was a key focus, given past incidents, such as a bear tranquilized during the 2002 summit that later died after falling from a tree. Nick de Ruyter, program director of the BioSphere Institute’s WildSmart program, emphasized the importance of understanding bear behavior, especially during the busy spring season when bears are actively searching for food.
Despite the influx of people during the G7 summit, no major wildlife incidents were reported, highlighting the tolerance and adaptability of local wildlife. De Ruyter estimated that there are around 65 grizzly bears and over 200 black bears in the Bow Valley and Kananaskis Country area, emphasizing the need for coexistence and mutual respect between humans and wildlife. He commended the wildlife for their efforts to avoid conflicts and encounters with people, underscoring the importance of respecting their natural habitat.
Overall, the successful management of wildlife encounters during the G7 summit in Kananaskis serves as a testament to the proactive measures taken by officials and the cooperation between humans and wildlife in this pristine wilderness setting.
