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Parks Canada has issued a bear advisory for Jasper National Park.

A restricted activity order will also be issued under the National Parks Act requiring people to stay in their vehicle when encountering wildlife along highways in Jasper National Park.

"Parks Canada is issuing this advisory to increase awareness of both residents and visitors of potentially dangerous situations that may arise," said Jasper National Park spokesman Steve Young in a release.

There have been numerous sightings of grizzly bears, some with cubs, over the last few weeks in and around Jasper.

Wildlife specialists have been monitoring grizzlies in the valley area around the Jasper townsite including a number of family groups and a mating pair.

Young said the bears may be using the townsite area to protect their newborns from older male bears and have been targeting elk calves and fresh grass for food sources that are readily available close to town. The lingering snow in the alpine may also be a contributing factor.

Parks warns that grizzly bears will aggressively defend their prey and their cubs.

"Encountering a grizzly bear defending a carcass or their cubs is a very dangerous situation," said Young.

Parks Canada staff are actively hazing bears away from town, high use areas, and roadsides to reduce habituation, and to ensure that cubs raised in proximity to humans don’t become habituated adults. 

"Bears are easily habituated to seeing and having  humans around," said Young.

"This process of habituation is being accelerated by photographers and members of the public that follow bears around for extended periods of time."

The best way to avoid bear encounters is to be alert and aware of your surroundings so you detect a bear’s present at a safe distance.

Travel in groups, stay alert and do not use headphones when travelling on the trails. Carry bear spray and .

Report all bear sightings to Jasper dispatch at 780-852-6155. 

Update @ 3:35pm, June 12:

The Notice of Restriction can now be viewed on .

Effective date: June 9, 2020 until July 9, 2020

Activities restricted: Pursuant to Subsection 7(1) of the General Regulations of Canada National Parks Act, roadside wildlife viewing is designated as restricted, and subject to the following conditions:

1. No person shall willfully approach, remain, view, or engage in any activity within
   1. 100 metres of any bear, cougar, or wolf, except when completely inside a legally positioned motor vehicle,
   2. 30 metres of any elk, moose, caribou, sheep, or goat except when completely inside a legally positioned motor vehicle,
   3. Any distance that displaces or interferes with the free, unimpeded movement of wildlife,
   4. Any distance that creates or contributes to a potentially hazardous condition or situation
2. No person shall remain within prescribed distances during inadvertent, accidental, or surprise encounters with wildlife

These restrictions do not apply to a superintendent, park warden, peace officer, or any other person authorized by the superintendent to carry out functions related to the management of a park while any of those persons is engaged in carrying out such functions.

Where: All areas within 200 metres of any road, highway, or place within a park intended for use by the public for the passage or parking of vehicles.

Why: The Superintendent has established these restrictions to:

1. Reduce the likelihood of motor vehicle collisions
2. Ensure visitor safety during wildlife viewing
3. Protect wildlife from disturbance and stress
4. Provide Parks Canada staff with the tools needed to safely manage dynamic wildlife viewing opportunities
5. Reduce or prevent habituation of wildlife
6. Reduce the formation of large groups that could increase the spread of COVID-19 to staff and the public