Close X
Friday, November 1, 2024
ADVT 
National

Parks Canada Officials Say Human Contact Putting Wildlife, People At Risk

IANS, 04 Jul, 2016 12:44 PM
    BANFF, Alta. — Tourists are repeatedly warned about getting too close to wildlife they come across in the mountains, but Parks Canada officials say despite the advisories, it’s still happening.
     
    One recent incident near Lake Louise, Alta., involved a grizzly bear feeding near the road just inside one of the fence barriers.
     
    Dozens of excited visitors went over to take a look, some standing just steps from the large bear.
     
    Parks officials say at one point, a child reached through the wire toward the bear, an exceedingly dangerous thing to do.
     
    Kevin Van Tighem, a former superintendent at Banff National Park, says the gatherings of tourists that park officials call "bearjams" are filled with "stupid and irresponsible behaviour."
     
    He says people are not only putting themselves at risk, they are creating problems for the animals by potentially building contact with humans that can later cost them their lives.
     
    “Even though you might feel safe because there is a fence there or something, it doesn’t change the fact that somebody else might get hurt because of this situation,” Van Tighem said.
     
    He said the bear could easily get over the fence if it wanted to.
     
    “The more you increase stressful interactions and stressful situations between bears and humans, there is more risk of an attack happening, if not at that event, then subsequently.”
     
    The bear in the fence incident has had her fair share of contact with humans, but Van Tighem said it is especially concerning for her because she is at her prime breeding age.
     
    “This six-year-old female knows how to live around people,” Van Tighem said. “I’ve met her personally in the backcountry of Banff. She’s coming into her prime productive years — she’s a very important bear — it would be terrible to lose this bear because of people’s behaviour.”
     
    Ideally, Parks Canada officials would like people to slow down but not stop when they spot bears along the road. They say if you do stop, you should stay in your car, keep a respectful distance and make it brief.

    MORE National ARTICLES

    Mexican President Stops By Quebec City To Talk Trade Before Dinner With Justin Trudeau

    Mexican President Stops By Quebec City To Talk Trade Before Dinner With Justin Trudeau
    President Enrique Pena Nieto made a stop in Quebec City to talk trade and the North American economy ahead of his planned official dinner Monday evening with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in Toronto.

    Mexican President Stops By Quebec City To Talk Trade Before Dinner With Justin Trudeau

    B.C. Lions Down Calgary Stampeders 20-18 In Wally Buono's Return To Coaching

    Chris Rainey brought a punt back 72 yards for a touchdown and ran in another score as the B.C. Lions defeated the Calgary Stampeders 20-18 in Buono's return to the sidelines Saturday to close out Week 1 of the CFL season.

    B.C. Lions Down Calgary Stampeders 20-18 In Wally Buono's Return To Coaching

    Manitoba Proposes Amendments To Canada Pension Plan Deal After Opting Out

    Manitoba Proposes Amendments To Canada Pension Plan Deal After Opting Out
    WINNIPEG — A week after opting out of a deal to boost the Canada Pension Plan, Manitoba says it wants Ottawa and the provinces to consider a raft of amendments.

    Manitoba Proposes Amendments To Canada Pension Plan Deal After Opting Out

    'Who Made Me Like This?' Manitoba Killer Asks While Handed Stiff Life Sentence

    'Who Made Me Like This?' Manitoba Killer Asks While Handed Stiff Life Sentence
    WINNIPEG — A homeless man who brutally beat three other transient men to death in separate attacks blamed police as he was handed the stiffest sentence in Manitoba history — life in prison with no chance of parole for 75 years.

    'Who Made Me Like This?' Manitoba Killer Asks While Handed Stiff Life Sentence

    Officers Failed To Follow Procedures Prior To Jail Cell Death: Review

    Officers Failed To Follow Procedures Prior To Jail Cell Death: Review
    Correctional officers at a provincial jail in Cape Breton failed to follow proper procedures earlier this year when they placed a man in a cell, where he died of a drug overdose 13 hours later, Nova Scotia's Justice Department says.

    Officers Failed To Follow Procedures Prior To Jail Cell Death: Review

    'It's Just Magical': Lots To See In Iceberg Alley Off Northern Newfoundland

    'It's Just Magical': Lots To See In Iceberg Alley Off Northern Newfoundland
    ST. ANTHONY, N.L. — It's not quite peak iceberg season and already people from around the world are heading to tiny St. Anthony in northeastern Newfoundland for one of the best spectacles in years.

    'It's Just Magical': Lots To See In Iceberg Alley Off Northern Newfoundland