Injured Bear in Exit Glacier Area

Date: August 21, 2011
Contact: Laura Sturtz, [phone]

Kenai Fjords National Park reports that there may be an injured bear in the Exit Glacier area. On the evening of August 17, a bear was shot along the Harding Icefield Trail by a visitor who reported that they felt the bear posed a danger. An investigation is ongoing. 

Bears are common in Kenai Fjords National Park, and are routinely encountered in the Exit Glacier area without incident. Based on the Park's monitoring following this incident, the Park feels that the trail should remain open for public access. As a general rule, whenever visitors are traveling in bear country the Park recommends taking the following precautions:

• Make your presence known: be visible, make noise.
• Travel in a group.
• Stay alert; be aware of your surroundings at all times.
• Give bears plenty of room; if possible change your course to avoid bears.
• Give bears the opportunity to avoid you. Detour around areas where you see or smell carcasses of fish or animals, or see scavengers congregated.
• Don't attract bears with food or garbage.
• Carry bear pepper spray. 

The opportunity to see bears in their natural habitat contributes significantly to the enjoyment of the Park for many visitors. The Park strives to provide for visitor and staff safety by minimizing bear-human conflicts. The Park ensures opportunities for visitors to observe, understand, and appreciate black and brown bears as part of an intact ecosystem. 

If you sight an injured or dead bear within Kenai Fjords National Park, please notify a Park Ranger, or call the Kenai Fjords National Park Information Center at [phone].