a:10:{s:2:"id";s:2:"86";s:12:"cms_headline";s:13:"Be bear smart";s:7:"content";s:4177:"<h2>
	Calgarians: be bear smart when you leave the city</h2>
<p>
	At Brion Energy, our employees in Calgary and at site in the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo in northern Alberta, work in, or close to, bear country. As a Calgarian there seems to be an unwritten rule for most about living in this city&mdash;you live/work in Calgary to get out of Calgary on the weekends and explore the nearby wilderness. Whether you&rsquo;re working at site or taking a weekend camping trip in the mountains, it&rsquo;s important to know how to stay, especially in the fall months during bear season.</p>
<p>
	In the Bear Hazard Assessment completed for Brion&rsquo;s MacKay River Commercial Project it was observed that &ldquo;peak time for bears in the fall is late August to September, but this is subject to change depending on the year.&rdquo; Our Environmental Coordinator at Brion&rsquo;s MacKay River Commercial Project, adds &ldquo;the government extends this window and considers November 1 the end of bear season. There are a number of ways we can reduce our impact on the bears in the area and reduce the chances of human-bear encounters.&rdquo;</p>
<p>
	Parks Canada and Alberta Parks are great resources on how to be bear smart. Below are a few tips on how to stay safe in bear country no matter what activity you&rsquo;re enjoying.</p>
<p>
	<strong>THE BEST METHOD TO AVOID BEAR ENCOUNTERS</strong><br />
	<strong>Remain alert. </strong>Be aware of your surroundings at all times.</p>
<p>
	<strong>Make noise! </strong>Let bears know you&#39;re there. Call out, clap, sing or talk loudly, especially near streams, dense vegetation and berry patches, on windy days, and in areas of low visibility. Bear bells are not enough.<br />
	<br />
	<strong>Watch for fresh bear signs. </strong>Tracks, droppings, diggings, torn-up logs and turned-over rocks are all signs that a bear has been in the area. Leave the area if the signs are fresh.<br />
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	<strong>Keep your dog on a leash</strong> at all times or leave it at home. Dogs can provoke defensive behaviour in bears.<br />
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	<strong>Larger size groups</strong> are less likely to have a serious bear encounter. We recommend hiking in a tight group of four or more. Never let children wander.<br />
	<br />
	<strong>Use officially marked paths</strong> and trails and travel during daylight hours.<br />
	<br />
	<strong>If you come across a large dead animal</strong>, leave the area immediately and report it to park staff.<br />
	<br />
	<strong>Dispose of fish offal</strong> in fast moving streams or the deep part of a lake, never along stream sides or lake shores.</p>
<p>
	<br />
	<strong>IF YOU ENCOUNTER A BEAR<br />
	Stay calm.</strong> Your calm behaviour can reassure the bear. Screams or sudden movements may trigger an attack.</p>
<p>
	<strong>Speak to the bear. </strong>Talk calmly and firmly. This lets the bear know you are human and not a prey animal. If a bear rears on its hind legs and waves its nose about, it is trying to identify you by getting a better look at you or picking up your scent.</p>
<p>
	<br />
	<strong>Back away slowly. </strong>Never run! Running may trigger a pursuit.<br />
	<br />
	<strong>Make yourself appear BIG.</strong> Pick up small children and stay in a group.<br />
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	<strong>Get your bear/pepper spray.</strong> Get your hands on it and be ready to use it. Take note of the direction and strength of the wind. Note: Training is recommended prior to the use of bear spray.<br />
	<br />
	<strong>Do not drop your pack. </strong>It can provide protection.<br />
	<br />
	It&rsquo;s difficult to predict the best strategy to use in the event of a bear attack. That&rsquo;s why it is so important to put thought and energy into avoiding an encounter in the first place. Report bear sightings to Kananaskis Country Emergency Services at 403.591.7755, and remember, be bear smart.</p>
<p>
	Brion Energy is a wholly owned and operated subsidiary of PetroChina Company Limited. Established in 2010, Brion is making bold strides in its aspirations to produce 400,000 bbl/d with minimal environmental impact.</p>
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