![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.6976926.1721883767!/httpImage/image.png_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.png)
Grain-gobbling bears spark 'no stopping' zone in Banff National Park
![bear photo stock, gerneric, unsplash A stock photo of a bear. (Unsplash/Becca)](/content/dam/ctvnews/en/images/2024/4/12/bear-photo-stock--gerneric--unsplash-1-6845289-1712961290578.jpg)
A popular highway in Alberta's Banff National Park now has a 'no stopping zone' to help protect two bears.
Parks Canada say the 320-metre 'no stopping zone' will be in place on the Bow Valley Parkway between Baker Creek and Protection Mountain Campground.
The change is being implemented to assist the bears who have been "persisting" in the area along the railway track since April 2 to eat spilled grains.
"Photos and videos of the bears are circulating on social media and many visitors are travelling to the area in search of wildlife viewing opportunities," explained a Friday news release.
"Parks Canada has received and responded to a number of documented reports of bear jams, unsafe parking and people leaving their vehicles to approach the bears in the past 10 days."
Spokesperson James Eastham says the grain itself is too dispersed for Parks Canada to clean effectively.
They did attempt to use hazing to discourage the bears from spending time along the tracks, but their efforts proved unsuccessful.
The 320-metre 'no stopping zone' will be in place on the Bow Valley Parkway between Baker Creek and Protection Mountain Campground. (Parks Canada) Eastham says the bears can leave the tracks suddenly to avoid trains, causing them to move quickly toward the road, making it particularly unsafe for people outside of their vehicles.
"Space in the area is also limited and cannot accommodate a safe viewing distance of 100 metres between people and the bears," he said in a news release.
"The area also lacks a road shoulder to pull over onto and traffic flow is impeded by parked vehicles."
Kicking Horse Bridge reduced to single lane
Kicking Horse Bridge has been reduced to a single lane of alternating traffic after erosion damage was discovered. (Parks Canada) Parks Canada also announced on Friday that Kicking Horse Bridge had been reduced to a single lane of alternating traffic after erosion damage was discovered to a wing wall.
Delays in the area are expected until both the wall and riverbank are stabilized, a project expected to take two weeks.
The bridge is located between Wapta Falls and Hoodoo Creek campground.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.6976926.1721883767!/httpImage/image.png_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.png)
AS IT HAPPENED Wildfire reaches Jasper Wednesday night, causes 'significant loss'
One of two wildfires threatening Jasper National Park reached the townsite Wednesday night and caused 'significant loss.'
Alberta calls in army to assist with wildfire situation
Alberta has called in the Canadian Armed Forces to help assist with the worsening wildfire situation in the province.
Biden explains why he ended re-election bid in Oval Office address
U.S. President Joe Biden on Wednesday delivered a solemn call to voters to defend the country's democracy as he laid out in an Oval Office address his decision to drop his bid for reelection and throw his support behind Vice President Kamala Harris.
Barrie-Innisfil MPP 'blacked-out' and crashed car into window of child care centre
Staff at a Barrie child care centre say they are frustrated by what they call a local MPP's inadequate response after a car crashed through a window in one of the toddler rooms.
Norad intercepts Russian and Chinese bombers operating together near Alaska in apparent first
The North American Aerospace Defence Command (Norad) intercepted two Russian and two Chinese bombers flying near Alaska Wednesday in what appears to be the first time the two countries have been intercepted while operating together.
2 Canadians being 'sent home immediately,' removed from Olympic team after drone incident
An analyst and an assistant coach with Canada Soccer are being removed from the Canadian Olympic Team and 'sent home immediately,' according to the Canadian Olympic Committee.
An unwelcome attendee has joined the Paris Olympic Games: COVID-19
After a handful of Australian water polo players tested positive for COVID-19 this week, questions have emerged around how the spread of the disease will be mitigated at the Summer Olympic Games in Paris.
Vacations, meals, booze: Contractor used $100K of charity's money for personal expenses, B.C. court finds
A B.C. man who was hired to help a non-profit build a food hub but instead spent the money on personal expenses – including travel, restaurants, booze and cannabis – has been ordered to pay more than $120,000 in damages.
Male, female killed, 2 others injured in 'gun battle' outside Toronto plaza: police
Two people are dead and two others suffered serious injuries following a shooting that police have described as a 'gun battle' outside a plaza in Scarborough, Ont. early Wednesday morning.