In a press release Thursday, the BCHP said the federal park service contacted her in early June “after a series of bear fights on Highway 1 east of Field BC” in Yoho National Park. A Parks Canada spokesman told CTV News via email that three bears were hit and killed on the same section of the highway over a six-day period from June 7 to 13. The first collision occurred in the early morning hours of June 7 near the parking lot of Lake O’Hara, according to Parks Canada. The bear – a young grizzly bear – is believed to have been about five years old and was the brother of the famous white grizzly bear in Yoho National Park. Following the initial crash, Parks Canada reduced the speed limit to 70 kilometers per hour between West Louise Lodge and the bottom of Field Hill. The agency also set up a no-go zone and strengthened enforcement in the area. The second clash occurred on June 11, killing an adult male grizzly bear trying to breed with the female bear that was killed earlier that week. The second accident led officials to reduce the speed limit to 50 km / h, according to Parks Canada. On June 13, a third collision killed an adult male black bear. As a result of the series of accidents, according to the BCHP announcement, officers from both services launched a “enforcement and training campaign”. “The highway section is popular with both black bears and grizzly bears at this time of year due to the abundance of high-value food sources along the road,” police said in a statement. “Unfortunately, this puts bears at risk of contact with motor vehicles and often leads to injury or death to bears.” During the week of June 13, BCHP officers and Parks Canada guards issued 80 speeding tickets and confiscated four vehicles. They also made a ticket for one person to fly a drone in a national park. “Parks Canada emphasizes the importance of adhering to reduced speed limits and attention in the early morning and evening hours,” the agency said. “Do not stop if you see wildlife on the side of the road, especially along the Trans-Canada Highway. Report any wildlife on the streets or any wildlife incidents in Parks Canada send to 403-762-1470.”
