Parks Canada is asking motorists to drive safely when viewing wildlife following the death of a black bear club last year.
In July 2021, Parks Canada responded to a report that a black bear cub had been run over and killed on Maligne Lake Road.
A video captured by a witness shows a vehicle passing another on a double-solid line, on a curve, with limited visibility.
The passing vehicle hit the cub as the cub crossed the road with two other bears.
Further investigation revealed that the driver had published the photo of the bears on social media with the photo taken from the driver鈥檚 seat of the moving vehicle.
The driver later appeared in court, was charged with careless driving and fined $2,000.
The number of 鈥渨ildlife jams,鈥� where travellers stop along or on the roadway to view wildlife, has steadily increased over the past decade.
This has led to unsafe traffic conditions and people getting out of their vehicles, resulting in unsafe encounters with wildlife.
Parks Canada reminded motorists of safe wildlife viewing practices, such as pulling safely to the side of the road and remaining in the vehicle to snap a picture.
Travellers should also drive to the conditions and report wildlife jams and collisions with wildlife.
