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

    Winnepeg Jets T-Shirt Made By Company Licensed To Sell NHL Stock Shocker For Fan

    Winnepeg Jets T-Shirt Made By Company Licensed To Sell NHL Stock Shocker For Fan
    KELOWNA, B.C. — A life-long Winnipeg Jets fan was shocked to learn she'd bought a T-shirt with the city's name misspelled as Winnepeg.

    Winnepeg Jets T-Shirt Made By Company Licensed To Sell NHL Stock Shocker For Fan

    Surrey RCMP Welcomes New Summer Safety Specialist

    Surrey RCMP Welcomes New Summer Safety Specialist
    Surrey RCMP is saying goodbye for now to a unique Mountie who has helped us deal with the cold winter weather and hello, sunshine to a new face that will be joining us this summer.

    Surrey RCMP Welcomes New Summer Safety Specialist

    Province Adjusts Transit Fee For The Disabled, But Keeps Bus Pass Costs

    Province Adjusts Transit Fee For The Disabled, But Keeps Bus Pass Costs
    The provincial government website confirms the administration fee has been eliminated, but fees for a monthly pass that cost between $52 and $66 remains.

    Province Adjusts Transit Fee For The Disabled, But Keeps Bus Pass Costs

    Winnipeg Officer Makes Plea To Mom They Believe Abducted Her Children

    Winnipeg Officer Makes Plea To Mom They Believe Abducted Her Children
    Det. Sgt. Shaunna Neufeld spoke at a news briefing Thursday and asked Sandra Giesbrecht to get in touch with her.

    Winnipeg Officer Makes Plea To Mom They Believe Abducted Her Children

    Police In St. John's Seek Witness In Murder Case As Investigation Continues

    Police In St. John's Seek Witness In Murder Case As Investigation Continues
    Anne Norris, 28, is accused of first-degree murder in the death of Marcel Reardon.

    Police In St. John's Seek Witness In Murder Case As Investigation Continues

    Don't Formalize Role Of Prime Minister's Spouse, Says Justin Trudeau

    Don't Formalize Role Of Prime Minister's Spouse, Says Justin Trudeau
    Sophie Gregoire Trudeau sparked a frenzied week of news reports and table-thumping columns earlier this spring when she told a Quebec newspaper she could use more help

    Don't Formalize Role Of Prime Minister's Spouse, Says Justin Trudeau