Insufficient evidence — and language barriers —mean few complaints result in charges
BY COLETTE DERWORIZ, POSTMEDIA
Wardens say more visitors are feeding wildlife such as bears and wolves in the mountain parks, which is illegal.
It is likely one of the factors that led to a wolf becoming aggressive around campers in the Tunnel Mountain campground in Banff National Park earlier this month.
It’s also being noticed along roadsides such as the Bow Valley Parkway, Highway 93 South and Highway 93 North in Banff, Yoho and Kootenay national parks and led to a no-stopping zone in one area after at least two motorists fed bears out of their vehicles.
“We’ve had 11 (complaints) filed,” said Jim Mamalis, park warden supervisor for the Lake Louise, Yoho and Kootenay field unit. “There’s only one solid charge so far.”
A fine of $115 was issued to a motorist for throwing food out of their window at a bear foraging along Highway 93 South.
Mamalis said they are still investigating a couple other illegal feeding incidents — although some take a little longer because they have to go through a car rental company to gather information.
In some cases, he said wardens will take the opportunity to educate rather than ticket motorists.
“We have had incidents reported to us of wildlife feeding, but they were international tourists and we didn’t feel they understood,” he said, noting they recently brought in a group of Chinese tourists to explain why it’s a problem and the family was extremely apologetic.
Mamalis said officials expect to start ticketing more because people are receiving all of the information at the gates as they enter the parks.
Yet, people continue to feed wildlife — a concern in Alberta’s provincial parks as well.
“It has been steadily increasing over the last three or four years,” said Mamalis, adding it can be difficult to lay a charge because they don’t get sufficient information from the witnesses.
Anyone who sees people feeding wildlife is asked to take down the make, model and colour of the vehicle, the licence plate number and any other information that could help wardens.
“The big majority of them are insufficient evidence,” said Mamalis, noting other reports come in too late to lay a charge because the visitors have left the country.
Feeding wildlife in a national park carries a maximum fine of $25,000.
Officials in the area have also issued 17 warnings to drivers who failed to heed the no-stopping zone along Highway 93 South from Banff to Radium.
The restriction was lifted this week.