Parks Canada has announced a no-stopping zone along the Bow Valley Parkway in Banff National Park to protect two bears that have been spotted near the railway track since April 2. The stopping zone, which spans 320 meters and is located between Baker Creek and Protection Mountain Campground, was put in place due to reports of bear jams, unsafe parking, and people approaching the bears. Parks Canada staff and law enforcement will be monitoring the area to ensure compliance with the no-stopping rule, with penalties ranging from a $115 ticket to a maximum fine of $25,000 for violation. The area is deemed unsafe for stopping as bears may quickly move towards the road to avoid trains, posing a risk to individuals who are outside their vehicles. In addition, the limited space in the area makes it difficult to maintain a safe viewing distance of 100 meters between people and bears.
Bears have been attracted to the area due to spilled grain, with Parks Canada attempting to discourage them from the tracks using hazing methods. However, these efforts have been ineffective as other natural foraging areas are covered in snow, and the grain is too dispersed to be efficiently cleaned up. The agency is urging the public to cooperate in keeping both people and wildlife safe, emphasizing that disobeying closures or no-stopping zones is illegal. A local filmmaker, Andy Arts, also emphasized the importance of respecting wildlife in the national park and raised concerns about the risks posed by railroads and trains to bears. Arts shared a video on Facebook showing The Boss, a renowned bear in Banff, narrowly avoiding a train, highlighting the need for caution around railway tracks and the potential dangers they pose to wildlife.
Arts described his experience of watching The Boss eating grain from the tracks and running towards the bear upon hearing a train whistle, instructing it to move away. The Boss heed his warning and left the area just seconds before the train passed by, despite having been hit by a train twice in the past. Arts expressed his admiration for wildlife and emphasized the importance of respecting animals in their natural habitat. A spokesperson for Canada Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) stated that train whistles serve as a safety measure to alert individuals or animals near the tracks of an approaching train. CPKC has collaborated with Parks Canada to protect national parks, focusing on mitigation efforts within their right-of-way and investing in vegetation management programs to reduce attractant vegetation and create open escape paths for wildlife in confined areas.
In conclusion, Parks Canada’s implementation of a no-stopping zone along the Bow Valley Parkway aims to safeguard bears that have been frequenting the area near the railway track. Efforts have been made to discourage bears from the tracks, but challenges such as spilled grain and limited natural foraging areas have hindered these efforts. The public is reminded of the importance of obeying closures and no-stopping zones to ensure the safety of both people and wildlife. Filmmaker Andy Arts highlights the risks posed by railroads and trains to wildlife, sharing his experience of witnessing The Boss narrowly avoiding a passing train. CPKC emphasizes their commitment to working with Parks Canada to protect national parks and mitigate potential hazards to wildlife. Overall, the need for respecting wildlife and being mindful of human activities around wildlife habitats is paramount to ensure the well-being of both animals and humans in natural environments.
