Cathy Ellis
BANFF – A large male black bear that wandered through the busy townsite and spent several hours up a tree outside the Banff IGA has been captured and moved to the other side of the Bow Valley.
The bear first showed up in town in the vicinity of the Middle Springs neighbourhood and Parks Canada administration grounds on Thursday (July 26). It was eventually caught near the Banff Centre four days later.
Bill Hunt, resource conservation manager for Banff National Park, said the black bear ended up a tree outside the IGA on Marten Street on Friday for several hours until dark.
He said it doesn’t appear the bear got into food or garbage as far as they can tell, but there was one report suggesting it was into fruit trees or buffaloberries.
“But obviously a bear right in town like that is a concern,” said Hunt.
Resource conservation officers immobilized and captured the bear on Sunday in an area between the Banff Centre and Douglas Fir Resort by running it up a tree – a common approach for free-range darting.
The bear was fitted with an ear tag, numbered 1804, and collar so its movements can be tracked.
“He wasn’t known to us previously,” said Hunt. “He’s a nice healthy bear and weighs 180 to 200 pounds.”
The black bear was relocated to the north side of the Trans-Canada Highway near 40 Mile Creek and initially travelled up Cascade Creek.
“We’re keeping a close eye on it,” said Hunt. “By being able to track the bear we can also find any attractants and get right on it.”
Parks Canada is asking for the public’s help to keep this bear out of town and prevent it from becoming food-conditioned.
Human food, garbage and recycling must not be left accessible to wildlife, but put in wildlife proof bins.
“Please let us know if you see this or any other bears in town,” said Hunt.
The number to call is 403-762-1470.
