Fuchsia Dragon | [email protected]
Two bears were destroyed in Jasper last week following encounters with people, food and pets.
Parks Canada put down a bear at Athabasca Falls after it attacked and killed a family dog.
On the afternoon of May 15, a healthy adult male black bear approached a leashed dog and its owners.
The dog pulled out of its collar and the bear picked it up and carried it into a bush.
The dog鈥檚 owner followed and pepper sprayed the bear but was unable to force it off the dog and the dog was killed.
According to Parks, the bear had also been involved in a series of less serious incidents involving dogs, leading to the decision to put down the animal.
Steven Young, a spokesman for Parks Canada, said: 鈥淭his was a very difficult decision for Parks Canada staff, who work so hard to protect these animals, but in the end, it was a necessary action to ensure visitor safety.鈥�
Human-wildlife specialists found and destroyed the bear, and the remains of the dog were recovered.
Young said: 鈥淭he agency reminds visitors to practice safe wildlife viewing and to always have your dog on a leash while within the mountain national parks.
鈥淗aving an off-leash dog is not only illegal in the mountain national parks, but can increase the chances of an aggressive encounter with a bear, elk and other wildlife because a dog may be more prone to pursue and provoke - and also draw the wild animal to an owner.鈥�
A second black bear was killed by human-wildlife specialists this week in the Jacques Lake area.
Parks said the animal became habituated to human food after came across a human food reward in the back of an unattended truck this spring.
The find changed the bear鈥檚 behaviour to the point that in the following days it would test vehicles looking for the same kind of reward.
During one incident, people were inside the vehicle.
鈥淓xperience has shown Parks Canada that a bear this habituated has little hope of rehabilitation,鈥� said Young. 鈥淭he agency would like to remind visitors that they share the surrounding habitat with wildlife and the responsibility to protect the wildlife and environment.鈥�
Young said if visitors find themselves in the unfortunate event that their pet is attacked by a wild animal, they should not put themselves at risk by trying to rescue their pet.
They can contact Parks Canada human-wildlife specialists at 780-852-6155.
Always practice safe wildlife viewing by:
鈥� Pulling safely out of traffic.
鈥� Remaining in your vehicle.
鈥� Moving on after a few minutes.
鈥� Keeping pets secured when viewing wildlife.
Never leave food attractants out for wildlife.
Food attractants include:
- coolers (they are not bear proof)
- food scraps or leftovers
- dishwater
- dirty dishes, pots or barbecues
- empty bottles, cans or wrappers
- toothpaste, soap or other toiletries
- pets
- pet food dishes (full or empty)
