As more and more people experience National Parks and public lands for the first time, a common concern often arises. Bears. Bears are highly misunderstood creatures and are more often than not afraid of humans. But the behavior of park visitors and often puts the safety of both people and bears at risk. 

On this episode of America’s National Parks, we head to Glacier National Park, for a lesson in bear safety. 

Listen below:

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Glacier’s Grizzlies:

But before we learn about bear safety, let’s learn about Glacier’s famous Grizzlies from Research Biologist, Kate Kendall.

https://www.nps.gov/media/video/view.htm?id=B8CB5D11-155D-451F-67D25CBB66622924

Bear Safety:

On average, there are only one or two non-lethal bear “incidents” in a given year. And, there have only been 10 bear-related fatalities in the history of the park (all of those have occurred since 1967). Only three of those fatalities involved hikers, and at least two of those were solo hikers.

Still, human-bear encounters can end in death and injury, no doubt, and the attacking bear is often euthanized. So, bear safety is incredibly important. 

Here’s Park Wildlife Biologist John Waller to explain about bear behavior and how to hike and travel safer on the trails in Glacier, or other National Parks in bear territory. 

https://www.nps.gov/media/video/view.htm?id=B5635DD8-155D-451F-671640ED5251B1BE

Whenever you’re headed out in bear country, we hope you’ll keep these tips in mind.

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America’s National Parks is part of the RV Miles Network of Podcasts, which also includes the RV Miles and See America podcasts. To learn more visit RVMiles.com.

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Today’s show was sponsored by L.L.Bean, follow the hashtag #beanoutsider, and visit LLBean.com to find great gear for exploring the National Parks.