BANFF – Backcountry skiers have been charged for violating a closure put in place to protect a female grizzly bear in her den near Bow Summit in Banff National Park.
Parks Canada officials say there was evidence of at least two illegal forays by backcountry skiers into the closed area in the last week of November and first week of December.
“Four charges have been laid,” said Amy Krause, a spokesperson for Lake Louise, Yoho and Kootenay.
“If visitors see people inside the closure, we would like to ask that they please report it promptly to Banff Dispatch at 403-762-1470.”
On Nov. 4, Parks Canada closed a popular and accessible ski touring destination at Jimmy Junior-Hidden Bowl on the eastern slopes of Mount Jimmy Simpson south of Bow Summit to protect the female grizzly bear denning in the area.
People caught violating the closure at Jimmy Junior-Hidden Bowl could be charged under the Canada National Parks Act and face a fine of up to $25,000 if found guilty in court.
This female grizzly is not tagged or collared, but is known to Parks Canada.
She was observed with a large male grizzly in June and July and it is hoped she will emerge from her den in spring with cubs.
The closure was put in place to avoid any noise or disturbance near her den that may cause her to miscarry, or lose newborn cubs, if she was indeed successfully bred.
“She was observed displaying mating behaviour with a male grizzly this summer and may emerge with cubs in the spring,” Krause said.
Bred females experience delayed implantation; the embryo does not implant in the uterus until November or December, but only if the bear has enough fat reserves to sustain her and the developing fetuses through hibernation.
Cubs are born in the den in late January to early February and weigh about half a kilogram. While the female dozes for another several months, the cubs nurse on milk rich in fat.
There have been occasions when bears have abandoned their dens due to human activity.
“Disturbing this denning bear threatens her survival and that of her potential cubs,” Krause said.
This is the second year the closure has been in place. In April last year, a group of backcountry skiers spotted a grizzly bear inside a den. It’s believed to be the same bear again this year.
If this female bear has been successfully bred and emerges with cubs in spring, it will be her second litter.
After the closure of this area in 2019, she came out of the den with two cubs in tow; however, she lost both to what is believed to be natural causes of death.
Natural mortality is highest for young-of-year and is usually related to nutrition. Adult male bears also sometimes kill offspring.
As of 2020, Parks Canada estimates that there are approximately 60 to 80 grizzly bears with overlapping home ranges, including parts of Banff National Park.
Grizzly bears are a threatened species in Alberta.
“Female grizzly bears of reproductive age are critical to the long-term success of the species,” Krause said.
