Bow Valley bears waking early from winter slumber

At least five bears were spotted outside theirdens in Kananaskis Country in February which is a bit earlier than usual,according toAlberta Parks.

"It's warm [and] there's not much snow covering their dens, which we typically see this time of year," said ecologist JohnPaczkowski.

He says it's possible the bears caught a whiff of something maybe an old kill, and went out for a light snack.

ButPaczkowskiaddsthose bears are probably notleaving hibernation and will likely return to their dens.

"This is something the bears do regularly in periods of warm weather, butwe'rea little warmer than usual here so we're kind ofsurprised," he adds.

Paczkowskisays big malebears emergefromhibernation around April 1, with females following four to six weeks after.