Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Bear Safety
You will find excellent “Bear Aware” publications at every Visitors Centre. One of the best
is called “Safety in Grizzly and Black Bear Country.” It is also available online from the
Northwest Territories wildlife website at
It points out that:
Knowing the difference between a black bear and a grizzly bear (also called a
“brown bear” in the north) is important because they behave differently.
You cannot tell the difference by colour - both vary in colour from black to
brown, cinnamon to blonde.
Grizzlies can be recognized by their upturned muzzle and the prominent hump
on their shoulders.
Black bears have flat shoulders and a straight muzzle.
There are other differences, like grizzlies have a chunkier build and longer
straighter claws - but you'd have to have both bears in front of you to make that dis-
tinction and let's not go there.
You cannot out-run, out-swim or out-climb a bear.
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