EDMONTON - This Labour Day weekend, many people will head for Alberta's backcountry to enjoy camping, hiking and other activities. Bears may be active in the same areas and Albertans should take measures to ensure their personal safety.

In late summer and fall, bears search for many types of berries that grow near campgrounds, trails, forest openings and road edges. Stay well away from any berry bushes to avoid encounters with bears - they have been known to attack if surprised. But if you are intent on picking berries, make lots of noise as you approach concentrations of berry bushes and make noise as you pick. It would be wise to have a canister of bear spray at hand. By paying close attention to bear behaviour, you can look out for your safety and also help protect these animals.

Food and garbage are the sources of most bear problems:
* Never approach or feed a bear.
* Don't cook or eat in or near your tent and don't bury or attempt to burn food scraps.
* Clean barbecues after use and dispose of grease in containers provided in campgrounds.
* Store food out of the reach of bears, preferably in airtight containers.
* If necessary, store food in the trunk of a vehicle, not in a tent or trailer.

Make your presence known to bears:
* Hike in groups and make noise by talking or using bear noisemakers, especially in dense bush and near berry bushes and streams. Keep dogs leashed in wooded areas.
* Don't leave children unsupervised in parks or forested areas.
* If you see a bear, don't run or make sudden moves or noises. If a bear sees you, don't stare at it directly. Make sure you allow it a chance to retreat. Back off slowly toward a tree to climb (if the bear is a grizzly) or move slowly toward cover.

For additional information about bears, visit the Alberta Sustainable Resource Development website: http://www3.gov.ab.ca/srd/fw/bears/. Contact the nearest office of the department's Fish and Wildlife Division by dialing 310-0000 toll-free.

Alberta has more than 500 parks and protected areas that attract about 8 million visitors each year. Visit the Alberta Community Development website: http://www.cd.gov.ab.ca/parks, phone (780) 427-3582, or call 1-866-427-3582 toll-free for more information.

Contact:

John Lear
Communications
Alberta Sustainable Resource Development
Edmonton
Ph: (780) 427-8636

Kathy Telfer
Communications
Alberta Community Development
Edmonton
Ph: (780) 427-6530