Australian hiker, 24, missing in Canadian bear country

Julia-Mary Lane failed to return from road trip, prompting housemate in Alberta to contact her family in Queensland

• Follow our Australia news live blog for the latest updates
• Get our morning and afternoon news emails, free app or daily news podcast

An Australian hiker has gone missing in Canadian bear country, prompting an urgent plea from her family as searches continue.

Twenty-four-year-old Julia-Mary Lane was living in town in Alberta, Canada, and travelled to British Columbia for a week-long road trip, according to a social media post from her housemate.

Sign up for Guardian Australia’s free morning and afternoon email newsletters for your daily news roundup