Part of Okanagan park closed after hikers stumble on mother bear and cubs

KELOWNA, B.C. – Officials in one Okanagan community have been forced to close a section of a regional park because of encounters between hikers and an aggressive mother bear.

The Regional District of Central Okanagan says the incidents took place in Mission Creek Regional Park, near Kelowna, B.C., early in the afternoon.

During the first incident, a visitor and an on-leash dog stumbled upon a mother bear, which stood up and became agitated.

A second hiker was also forced to backtrack from the bear in a separate encounter.

Officials say four bears, including a male, female and two cubs, have been roaming a section of the park.

They say Tuesday’s incidents are the first reports of potentially serious conflicts between humans and bears.