Blue Ridge Estates grizzly sighting prompts warning for residents

RCMP are telling people in Blue Ridge Estates northwest of Calgary to keep pets and children indoors this morning.

The warning was issued after a bear was spotted in the community, located just outside Calgary's city limits.

Alberta Fish and Wildlife has confirmed that it is a grizzly bear.

Spokesman Brendan Coxtold CBC news that such sightings are rare as grizzlies usually stay in the mountains.

However, he said,this year there have been several reports of grizzlies east of the mountains, including one bear spotted near the towns of Beiseker and Vulcan. Kochs said that bear eventually made its way back west and he expects this bear to do the same.

Blue Ridge residentBarry Potter says he saw the bear as he was backing out of his driveway around 7:30 a.m. MT.

"He looked at me and I looked at him and he just kind of sniffed and kept walking," he said. "He was heading west, away from Tuscany towards Cochrane."

Janelle Donaldson alsoreported seeing thebear on her property early Friday morning and took several photographs of the large, brown animal.

"I went right out on to my deck and I got great shots of him," she said.

Fish and Wildlife is askinganyone who sees the bear to report it to the Calgary district office by calling 403-297-6423.