Bear Activity Advisory For Gloomy Knob, Glacier Bay National Park

Date: July 14, 2011
Contact: Allison Banks, Public Information Officer, 907-697-2230
Contact: Gus Martinez, 907-697-2628

This notice is to inform visitors of recent bear activity around the Gloomy Knob area in the West Arm of Glacier Bay.On July 13^th a group of visitors were bluff-charged by a brown bear while sitting near a stream.The bear was surprised by their presence, approached to within 100 feet, and then turned away.

Visitors are reminded that some negative bear encounters are a result of surprising the bear. A bear's normal reaction can be to bluff-charge the precieved threat.The National Park Service reccomends that all visitors make sure their presence is known while hiking in the park, in areas with poor visibility, where background sounds of wind or water may mask their approach, and in particular near salmon spawning streams.The NPS further recommends to travel in groups of 2-4 or more,carry bear spray, and to never yield ground, gear, food, or fish to bears.Please report all bear encounters to the  park's Visitor Information Station (VIS: 907-697-2627). You may also get the most current information about Glacier Bay bear activity from the VIS.