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Expert gives talk on understanding bears tonight in Fernie

Kevin Van Tighem has studied wildlife in western Canada for almost 40 years.

A wildlife expert will be giving a presentation and launching his book, 'Bears Without Fear' tonight at the Fernie Heritage Library at 7 p.m.

In bear country, staying safe is a matter of survival – for bears as well as people. Join Kevin Van Tighem as he discusses how, through understanding and demystifying preconceived fears, not only can people coexist with bears, we can ensure their survival in the wild.

Kevin Van Tighem has studied wildlife in western Canada for almost 40 years. A naturalist and hunter, he has written more than 200 articles, stories and essays on conservation and wildlife topics which have garnered him many awards, including Western Magazine Awards, Outdoor Writers of Canada book and magazine awards and the Journey Award for Fiction. He has served on the executive committees of the Federation of Alberta Naturalists, Alberta Wilderness Association and Foothills Model Forest. His decades of work in western Canada culminated in 2011 with his retirement as superintendent of Banff National Park. Kevin lives in Canmore, Alberta.

There have been a number of bear sightings already around the Elk Valley. Bernie Pulsifer was recently charged by a grizzly bear while mountain biking in Ridgemont. Read the story here.

Kevin will be signing copies of his new book, Bears Without Fear, following the presentation. Polar Peek Books will be on site with books available for purchase for $25.