Title: Black Bear Snatches Golfer’s Bag in Startling Encounter
In a surprising turn of events, a group of golfers at Westwood Plateau found themselves witnessing a captivating encounter with a black bear. The incident unfolded during the early evening of Monday when the bear made off with a golfer’s bag, leaving the onlookers in awe.
Captured on video by Karim Lalani, the incident occurred on the 12th hole. It seemed that the black bear, potentially a mother bear foraging for her cubs, took a keen interest in a bag belonging to the group ahead of Lalani’s. As Lalani recounted the incident to CTV News, he mentioned that despite black bears typically minding their own business, this particular bear exhibited a more aggressive behavior when it ripped into the bag. Realizing the need for caution, Lalani quickly backtracked their golf cart and readied themselves to run if necessary.
During the bear’s hurried getaway, a number of golf clubs tumbled out of the bag. The employee of Westwood Plateau, Jeff Peterson, acknowledged that bear sightings are quite common in the area. However, even after five years of working at the course, Peterson admitted that he had never witnessed such an incident. Precautionary measures are in place, with employees of the course being trained to handle bear encounters and equipped with tools like bear bangers and air horns. Peterson emphasized the importance of peaceful coexistence between humans and bears, as both parties occupy the land.
Peterson also mentioned that the same mother bear and her cubs had been spotted earlier in the day playing on a tee box and a fairway. Although no instances of bear attacks on golfers have been recorded at the course, Peterson acknowledged the presence of wildlife as an inherent part of the mountain course experience. Efforts are underway by the course employees to retrieve the golfer’s bag, ensuring minimal disruption.
Interestingly, despite the startling encounter, Lalani expressed his unwavering determination to continue playing at Westwood Plateau. Furthermore, the incident gained widespread interest, with several media outlets across North America reaching out to him.
This intriguing encounter with wildlife serves as a reminder of the need to respect nature’s presence in our surroundings. With bears frequently roaming the area, golfers and employees alike are advised to remain vigilant and take necessary precautions, ensuring a safe and harmonious environment for all.
