'Potentially dangerous': Banff bears no-holds-barred zone to protect visitors

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Hungry grizzly bears and photo-driven visitors have led to the introduction of a no-stop zone for a stretch of Highway 1A in Banff National Park, with violators facing hefty fines.

As of last Friday, Parks Canada has imposed a no-stop zone on a 320-metre stretch of Highway 1A west of Baker Creek and east of Defense Mountain Campground. “No Stopping” signs are posted to indicate the affected area.

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Violators may be subject to prosecution and fines ranging from $115 to $25,000.

The temporary restriction was implemented because of two large male grizzlies that frequent the area, sparking interest from visitors through posts on social media, said Charlie McLellan, acting wildlife ecologist for Banff, Yoho and Kootenay National Parks.

“The number of people visiting the site and location made it potentially dangerous for both bears and potentially humans.”

He noted that the location is close to train tracks, which makes parking in the area inconvenient, and also raises concerns that bears fleeing from oncoming trains could run toward people standing on the tracks.

Wildlife staff from Parks Canada have seen an increase in visitors, he said.

“Things seemed to escalate and it became clear that it wasn't really a safe viewing option for people,” McLellan said. “People have been sitting there for hours, we get dozens of cars (parked),”

The area is intended as a “tool” to minimize impacts on wildlife and visitors.

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Also, getting the bears used to people and cars was a limitation.

McLellan said the bears may be in the area because of the grain around the train tracks that has accumulated over the winter.

“It's attractive to bears at this time of year because there aren't many other rich food sources in early spring.”

Some large male grizzly bears come out of hibernation in the spring and forage for what they can until other food becomes available, he said.

While it's unclear when the staging area will be lifted, it may depend on activity in the area as other food sources become available, McLellan said.

“We never like to affect people's visit and we respect that visitors come to see the bears. When it's safe, we want to offer those opportunities.”

Outside of the no-parking zone, McLellan said their viewing guidelines recommend traveling in groups of four or more, staying in a car whenever possible, keeping a distance of 100 meters and carrying bear spray.

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“Respect these closures. There are reasons to put them there, it's for the safety of the wildlife, but also for the people.”

“These bears need peace and quiet”

Nick de Ruyter Parkes, director of the WildSmart program at Canmore's Bow Valley Biosphere Institute, agreed with Canada's move.

“Stop zones are very good and very important,” he said.

De Ruyter said they mostly try to eat male grizzly bears and den black bears this time of year.

“I think they should have a lot of no-stop zones or close quarters because these bears need peace and quiet.

“When they have hundreds or thousands of people running around and trying to take pictures, it stresses them out and can affect how they eat and how they live in the coming season,” de Ruyter said.

He said the most important thing for visitors to stop is to think about what's best for the animal, which means keeping a distance of about 10 school bus lengths.

“You don't have to go that close, you can shoot from 100 meters away and still get a good shot.”

The WildSmart program contains resources with information about bears and other wildlife, with the goal of helping educate communities about safe coexistence with wildlife and reducing negative human-wildlife interactions.

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