Parks Canada has introduced a 1.5-kilometre no-stopping zone along the Bow Valley Parkway in Banff National Park following increased bear activity and concerns about visitors stopping to view wildlife during the busy summer tourism season. The restriction applies between Baker Creek Chalets and Protection Mountain Campground, after several reports of unsafe parking and people leaving their vehicles to approach bears, commonly known as 'bear jams.'
Reasons for the No-Stopping Zone
Parks Canada stated on social media that crowding bears along the roadside and actively pursuing them causes stress and may lead to bears avoiding critical food sources and habitat. In specific instances, crowds of people can block escape routes for bears trying to avoid oncoming trains. The agency emphasizes that even brief stops by visitors can contribute to wildlife habituation over time, often resulting in negative outcomes for bears.
Expert Insights on Bear Behavior
Bear safety experts warn that spring feeding activity and mating season are increasing the likelihood of bear sightings along highways in the area. Kim Titchener, a bear safety specialist and president of Bear Safety & More, explained that a higher-than-normal mountain snowpack is forcing more bears to lower parts of the valley where vegetation is more readily available. 'At this time of year, that's where the best food is,' Titchener said. 'The Bow Valley Parkway is prime habitat for bears for eating grasses, dandelions, and root systems of flowering plants. The bears don't really have a choice; they're not there because they want to be photographed or harassed by people.'
Titchener also noted that more female bears may be travelling with cubs along roadways this summer, attributing the increase to an extended berry season last fall that led to more pregnant females. 'Those bears are gonna need a bit more space,' she advised, urging drivers to slow down and respect the no-stopping zone. 'Your photo is not as important as respecting the fact you're in a national park. The point of these parks is for enjoyment, but it's also to protect the animals.'
Unpredictable Nature of Bears
June is also mating season for bears, when males can display more unpredictable behaviour around humans. Kevin Wilson, owner of Wild Encounters Ltd., warned that while bears may look 'cute and cuddly,' their behaviour can change without warning. 'The only thing really truly predictable about a bear is that they're unpredictable, and they can change their behaviour in an instant,' Wilson said. 'Most of the time bears are benign, but you just don't know.'
Wilson urges visitors to avoid stopping to take photos of wildlife, particularly in park environments where repeated human-wildlife interaction can lead to habituation. 'Wildlife innately knows to keep their distance and run away. The more we stop along roadways, especially in park environments, the more comfortable wildlife gets with that. We don't want black bears, grizzly bears, or other wildlife to grow accustomed to humans being close to them.'
Importance of Minimizing Encounters
Parks Canada reiterated that minimizing these encounters is crucial to protect both the bears and visitors, helping bears maintain their natural behaviours. The no-stopping zone aims to reduce stress on bears and prevent dangerous situations for people and wildlife alike.
