Wildlife in western Alberta, such as grizzly bears and wolves living along popular hiking trails, are steering clear of the area, according to one new study, even when the trails are hundreds of metres away from the animals 🥾🐻⁠ ⁠ The research done by the University of Alberta was led by Peter Thompson, a former postdoctoral fellow with Colleen Cassady St. Clair in the Department of Biological Sciences.⁠ ⁠ The study highlights the need for more effective planning to ensure that recreationists and wildlife can coexist, particularly in the bustling Bow River Valley, which has long served as a natural corridor connecting the prairies to the Continental Divide 😮⁠ ⁠ Researchers found that animals did indeed stray away from the popular trails. However, to their surprise, the displacing effect seemed to linger over large distances.⁠ ⁠ Have you encountered an animal on your hike? Let us know 👇 ⁠ ⁠ Photo via Lorraine Logan / Shutterstock.com⁠ ⁠ #curiocitycalgary #explorealberta #travel