No stopping zone installed in Yoho National Park
In order to promote human and wildlife safety, Parks Canada has blocked off six kilometres of Highway 1 in Yoho National Park.
Officials say as of Friday, a section of the Trans-Canada Highway is designated as a no stopping zone due to the high possibility human-bear contact.
The zone is in effect for the length of highway between Sherbrooke Creek and Yoho Valley Road, however the Spiral Tunnels day use area, as well as its parking lot, is still accessible.
Parks Canada says actions like these are taken to promote safety for the public as well as animals in the mountain parks.
"Human and wildlife safety is of the utmost importance to Parks Canada. Parks Canada takes action to promote coexistence between people and wildlife, to ensure the safety of both," it said in a release.
The safety measures are expected to remain in place until officials know the bears have moved away from the highway areas.
BEAR WARNING IN FIELD, B.C.
Along the highway isn't the only place where bears might come into contact with people.
Parks Canada also says that residents and visitors in the village of Field, B.C., should take precautions because of an increase in bear activity.
Much of this activity has to do with bears trying to find food in the valley regions.
"Documented reports of unsafe parking and traffic jams, combined with multiple grizzly and black bears focussed on finding food, make this measure necessary. The no stopping zone allows bears to feed undisturbed and prevents traffic congestion that is dangerous for both bears and people."
Wildlife officers and park wardens are instructed to routinely patrol the no stopping zone to ensure compliance among drivers.
Both Parks Canada and the RCMP have the ability to penalize drivers who break the rules.
"Penalties for violations range from a $115 ticket to a mandatory court appearance and maximum fine of $25,000."
All wildlife sightings and incidents should be reported to Parks Canada dispatch by calling 403-762-1470.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Trudeau acknowledges charges in Nijjar killing, calls for commitment to democracy
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has acknowledged the charges laid Friday in relation to the murder of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
No proof man lied to brother about number of kittens born in litter, B.C. tribunal rules
A man was denied a $5,000 payout from his brother after a B.C. tribunal dismissed his claim disputing how many kittens were born in a litter.
Bodies recovered in Mexico likely 2 Australians, 1 American who went missing: officials
Three bodies recovered in an area of Baja California are likely to be those of the two Australians and an American who went missing last weekend during a camping and surfing trip, the state prosecutor’s office said Saturday.
Princess Anne lays wreath at B.C. veteran's cemetery; receives 21-gun salute
Princess Anne paid tribute to veterans buried at a cemetery in British Columbia today, laying a wreath to honour the more than 2,500 military personnel and family members buried there.
Mystik Dan wins the 150th Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in a three-horse photo finish
Mystik Dan won the 150th Kentucky Derby in a photo finish, edging out Forever Young and Sierra Leone for the upset victory.
'I just can't believe that it took so long': Body found in wreckage 3 months after deadly fire
A man accused of arson in a January Old Strathcona apartment fire is expected to be charged with manslaughter after a body was discovered in the burned building late last month.
Quebec police hand out hundreds of tickets to Hells Angels and other bikers before 'first run' meeting
Quebec provincial police handed out hundreds of fines to Hells Angels members and other supporting motorcycle clubs who met for their 'first run' in a small town near Sherbrooke, Que.
Work stoppage possible as WestJet issues lockout notice to maintenance engineers' union
A lockout notice issued by WestJet to a union representing aircraft maintenance engineers could result in a work stoppage next week.
London Drugs begins 'gradual reopening' on 7th day after cyberattack
Almost a week after all London Drugs stores across Western Canada abruptly closed amid a cyberattack, they began a "gradual reopening" on Saturday.