Parks officials combat garbage problem attracting bears in Alberta and B.C.

Parks Canada officials plan to hand out more tickets after the euthanization of nine bears in one week in the Revelstoke area.

There have been numerous close encounters and attacks this summer in both Alberta and B.C. many caused by campers, hikers and homeowners failing to secure their garbage.

Berry season is also bringing more animals out of the bushes.

“In the last couple weeks we’ve had a few interactions where bears have inflicted injury on humans. We know at least in a couple of those that food conditioning was the cause,” Dan Bartol, Conservation Officer in Revelstoke, said.

He says a woman who tolerated a bear visiting her backyard to pick some fruit, recently got a rude awakening.

“The bear got more and more comfortable, and as of the past week he’s been breaking into her shed — which is attached to the house — and breaking open her garbage,” Bartol explained.

Revelstoke has it’s own challenges.

In Canmore and Banff, there’s been an active program to remove Buffaloberry, Dogwood and Choke Cherry bushes from the townsites.

“The difference is that Banff is a bear smart community where all garbage is in a bear-proof bin. So, these bears, although they are seen more frequently, they’re not getting the food rewards, and they’re not staying and they’re not going from residence to residence and business to business,” Bartol said.

But, of course there are those who don’t follow the rules.

The penalty for an unsatisfactory campsite in Banff could cost you up to $25,000.

But, Bartol says the fact is we really should know better.

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