If it’s true that a picture is worth 1,000 words, and if you didn’t stop on page 4 en route to this page, please check it out as a prime example of what’s wrong with the whole wildlife corridor/wildlife closure issue in our valley.
What’s wrong is that in large numbers, residents and visitors alike ignore corridors and closures.
In fact, just this week, Outlook staff witnessed people recreating behind bear closure tape in Canmore’s Peaks of Grassi, jogging and picnicking behind elk closure tape at the Fenlands Trail area in Banff and someone creeping into a parking lot behind bear closure signs, possibly to get a glimpse of a bear trap, at Lake Minnewanka.
The issue, of course, is not whether these people are locals or visitors – it’s that they display such blatant disregard for closures.
One wonders if these are the same people who drove here at 140 km/h+ on the Trans-Canada, or are among those, local or otherwise, who simply ignore rules and regulations that don’t suit them.
It’s already well established that far too many people are wandering in area wildlife corridors; it’s becoming more well established that there are those who ignore closures.
Standing at any given point in our valley, is it really hard to believe a bear could be found on the other side of closure tape, warning signs, or traffic barricades with signage attached?
Do people believe, or convince themselves, that wildlife managers in the area – provincial or Parks – are trying to put a buzzkill on their enjoyment of our natural areas? That those same wildlife managers close areas for their own enjoyment?
Or, and we feel this is likely the case, are people’s Give A Crap metres way, way, way out of alignment? That, once people have their mind set on recreating in a given location, nothing will stop them? Not even imminent danger? Not even the possibility of being mauled or killed by a black or grizzly bear?
One wonders if, should someone ignore the warnings (which are not camouflaged or hidden away, by the way) and was attacked and killed, if there would be a great hue and cry, along with demands for an animal to be destroyed? Or, would cooler, more sensible heads prevail and insist the attacking animal be left due to provocation being the reason for an attack?
We’d rather not find out. It’s not like people haven’t been tragically mauled or killed by bears in our valley – and we feel it’s likely to happen again if there is continued ignoring of warnings.
Other than physically having provincial or federal enforcement staff on site at closure areas for its duration to ensure those who ignore them are fined or arrested, we’re not sure what else could be done. Would millions of dollars spent on surveillance equipment be a deterrent? Should our wild spaces be bristling with cameras like some downtown location in a major metropolis?
Do we need a system, a la Crimestoppers where tipsters could receive lavish cash bonuses for reporting someone?
Possibly, as more LED-type signage is installed in the area, wording as to severe penalties for entering closed areas could be transmitted?
This is one of those situations where many likely feel ‘something should be done,’ but what?
