A woman hiking in Kananaskis Country, Alberta, Canada, narrowly avoided an attack by a 700-pound grizzly bear by confronting the animal rather than fleeing. The encounter occurred on Wednesday when the bear emerged from the forest and appeared to target her dog.

The grizzly repeatedly circled the woman and her pet, stood on its hind legs, and lunged several times. Defying the instinct to run, which experts warn can trigger a bear's chase response, the hiker backed away slowly while shouting commands at the animal. She repeatedly told the bear to "go away" and "get," while also stating "no" and making growling noises.

The bear came within a few feet of the pair before the woman used a metal gate as a barrier and fled to nearby vehicles. The hiker captured the encounter on video.

Following the incident, Alberta Parks issued a warning to visitors, emphasizing that visitor safety is a top priority and that the situation is being monitored. To prevent bear encounters, the park service advises making noise, traveling in groups, and watching for signs of bear activity such as digging or scat.

Hikers are advised to never run from a bear and instead stand their ground while telling them calmly to go away

Experts recommend that anyone encountering a grizzly bear remain stationary and speak in a low, calm voice to identify themselves as human, not prey. Waving arms slowly and appearing larger by standing on elevated ground can also be effective. Imitating bear noises, screaming, or attempting to climb a tree are discouraged.

In the event of an attack, hikers are advised to play dead. However, if the bear does not desist, they should fight back by targeting the bear's face. For black bear attacks, the advice is to fight back immediately rather than playing dead. Bears that attack campers in their tents or stalk individuals are considered to be viewing them as food, and in such cases, fighting back is recommended regardless of bear species.

The bear appeared to only be interested in the woman's dog and stood on its hind legs several times

Alberta Parks advises visitors to carry bear spray, which is an effective deterrent against aggressive bears. If a bear charges, the spray should be aimed slightly below its face.

The bear came within just a few feet of the woman and her dog before they made their escape

Visitors are encouraged to report any bear encounters or observations in Kananaskis to Kananaskis Emergency Services at 403-591-7755.