Mounties issue 80 tickets in B.C. national park after crashes kill 3 bears in 6 days
Multiple crashes involving bears in a B.C. national park earlier this month prompted a crackdown on drivers in the area, according to the B.C. Highway Patrol and Parks Canada.
In a news release Thursday, the BCHP said the federal parks agency contacted it in early June "after a number of collisions with bears on Highway 1 east of Field B.C." in Yoho National Park.
A spokesperson for Parks Canada told CTV News by email that three bears were struck and killed in the same stretch of highway over a six-day span from June 7 to 13.
The first collision happened during the early morning hours of June 7 near the Lake O'Hara parking lot, according to Parks Canada. The bear – a young female grizzly – was believed to be about five years old and was the sibling of Yoho National Park's well-known white grizzly.
After the initial crash, Parks Canada implemented a speed limit reduction to 70 kilometres per hour between West Louise Lodge and the bottom of Field Hill. The agency also established a no-stopping zone and stepped up enforcement in the area.
The second collision happened on June 11, killing an adult male grizzly that had been trying to breed with the female bear killed earlier that week.
The second crash led officials to reduce the speed limit to 50 km/h, according to Parks Canada.
On June 13, the third collision killed an adult male black bear.
As a result of the string of crashes, according to the BCHP release, officers from both agencies began an "enforcement and education campaign."
"The section of highway is popular with both black bears and grizzly bears at this time of year due to an abundance of high-value food sources found along the road," police said in their release.
"Unfortunately, this puts the bears at risk of contact with motor vehicles and often results in injury or death to the bears."
During the week of June 13, BCHP officers and Parks Canada wardens issued 80 speeding tickets and impounded four vehicles. They also ticketed one person for flying a drone in a national park.
"Parks Canada stresses the importance of observing the reduced speed limits, and to drive with caution in the early morning and evening hours," the agency said. "Do not stop if you see wildlife on the roadside, particularly along the Trans-Canada Highway. Please report all wildlife sightings on the roads or any wildlife incidents to Parks Canada dispatch at 403-762-1470."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Latest updates on air quality alerts, and when the smoke may reach Ontario and Quebec
Wildfires have led Environment Canada to issue air quality advisories for parts of B.C., Alberta, Manitoba, Saskatchewan and the Northwest Territories, as forecasters warn the smoke could drift farther east.
Ellen DeGeneres addresses the 'hurtful' end of her talk show in new stand-up set
Ellen DeGeneres is reflecting on how her talk show came to an end in her newest Netflix special, 'Ellen's Last Stand ... Up Tour.'
Steal a car, lose your driver's licence under new Ontario proposal
Repeat car thieves may face lengthy licence bans under proposed changes to Ontario’s Highway Traffic Act.
B.C. brings in law on name changes on day that child killer's new identity revealed
The BC NDP have tabled legislation aimed at stopping people who have committed certain heinous acts from changing their names.
What to pack during an emergency
Knowing what to have at home, or take with you for an evacuation, can be useful and even life-saving.
Regulated area for invasive box tree moth expanded to parts of the Maritimes
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has added much of the Maritimes to a regulated area for an invasive species.
Already expensive, planning for fertility treatment difficult as costs vary widely
Being unable to have a child naturally can be extremely difficult. But when you factor in the high costs of fertility treatments, the range of individual circumstances and the fact that the industry itself is secretive about fees, it can make the whole ordeal even more devastating and hard to plan for.
A healthy lifestyle can mitigate genetic risk for early death by 62%, study suggests
Even if your genetics put you at greater risk for early death, a healthy lifestyle could help you significantly combat it, according to a new study.
Avs forward Valeri Nichushkin suspended at least six months
Colorado Avalanche forward Valeri Nichushkin was suspended for at least six months without pay and placed in Stage 3 of the league's player assistance program.