Parks releases video, asks public to help catch people feeding wildlife

Parks Canada has released a video of people in a vehicle at the side of the road feeding a bear and asked the public to continue taking pictures and footage and then reporting those who feed wildlife to them in an effort to raise awareness and reduce this type of behaviour. The video was released on Thursday (July 23) because of concerns that feeding wildlife has been on the rise in Banff, Yoho and Kootenay national parks. Parks Canada has the public to support its efforts to reduce this type of behaviour, which is particularly harmful to the animals as it causes them to become food habituated. It can lead directly to human wildlife conflicts, as well as resource conservation specialists to destroying food habituated bears to prevent that from happening. Parks Canada staff already conduct regular road patrols, use of temporary speed reductions and area closures to manage wildlife in the national parks. As well, Wildlife Guardians in Banff and Jasper play an active role in managing wildlife jams along secondary roads like the Bow Valley and Icefields Parkway. Parks asks that if you see anyone feeding wildlife, please report the incident to 1-888-WARDENS (927-3367) as soon as possible. Please record a licence plate number and, if it’ s safe to do so, take a photo of the vehicle or person involved. It was a member of the public who took a video last year along the Icefields Parkway in Banff National Park of people in a vehicle feeding a black bear at the side of the road. Due to them reporting the incident and providing the video, wardens issued charges and the driver pled guilty and received a $1,000 fine.