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Parks to set example in tree removal

A fruit tree at the park superintendent’s residence in Banff will be cut down this spring as Parks Canada tries to set a positive example for residents in reducing wildlife attractants.

A fruit tree at the park superintendent’s residence in Banff will be cut down this spring as Parks Canada tries to set a positive example for residents in reducing wildlife attractants.

Six other crab apple trees were already removed at Parks Canada’s administration grounds at the same time approximately 50 trees deemed hazardous were chopped down for public safety reasons.

There are many areas in town with crab apple trees and Parks Canada officials say they hope residents and institutions will also consider removing the fruit trees as well.

“We know that crab apples can be a powerful attractant for bears looking to bulk up for the winter. And we also know that fruit can draw bears into town,” said Michelle Macullo, a spokesperson for Banff National Park.

“Removing attractants such as fruit trees reduces habituation and the potential for human-wildlife conflict in town.”

An estimated 35 crab apple trees and other fruit trees are scattered throughout town, including on the grounds of The Banff Centre and various residential neighbourhoods.

Last spring, an opportunistic black bear was found snacking on a fruit tree in a residential yard on the outskirts of the Banff townsite, was caught on site and relocated not too far away.

The bear, which was relocated out of Banff in fall 2011 to an area near Ya Ha Tinda, was in a flowering plum tree in a yard on Marmot Crescent that backs onto a wildlife corridor.

The young bruin met his premature death a few weeks later when he was struck and killed on the Trans-Canada Highway just outside the east gate of Banff National Park.

Jim Pissot, executive director of WildCanada Conservation Alliance, welcomed the news fruit trees on Parks Canada land have been removed, noting bears often get into fruit trees as an easy snack throughout the Bow Valley.

“I think this is absolutely great news. For Banff National Park to at last remove this threat and take leadership action on this is really encouraging,” said Pissot.

“Fruit trees are known attractants that lead to the removal or death of black bears and grizzly bears throughout Western Canadian communities and we have issues here in the Bow Valley.”

Steve Malins, heritage programs manager for Banff National Park, said the six fruit trees taken from the Cascade Gardens would be replaced with non-fruit bearing colourful trees and plants by the end of May.

“The one at the superintendent’s residence will also be taken down. We don’t have an exact date, but our intention is to do it as the weather permits,” he said.

The Town of Banff’s design guidelines and Land Use Bylaw have a list of recommended plant materials, focusing on native plants, palatability to ungulates and comments on whether the plant is a bear attractant.

Banff’s existing waste bylaw, which is presently under review, states that no person shall leave waste of any kind accessible to wildlife or domestic animals. It is, however, legal to have fruit trees.

By comparison, the Village of Radium Hot Springs dictates that ripe fruit must be picked from trees and can’t remain on the ground – or residents face a $200 fine.

Parks Canada removed several fruit trees from its administration grounds near Radium in Kootenay National Park a few years ago when it became apparent they were attracting bears.

In addition, the Kananaskis golf course also voluntarily chopped down fruit trees on site a couple of years ago after a grizzly, with cubs in tow, honed in on them as an easy snack.


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