Banff area bears drawn closer to cities as they hunt for food
Posted Aug 12, 2021 10:15 am.
Last Updated Aug 12, 2021 10:17 am.
BANFF (660 NEWS) — It’s berry season in Banff National Park which means bears are out feeding.
According to Dan Rafla, a human-wildlife expert with the park, bears are eating for up to 20 hours a day right now. However, because of the hot, dry conditions we’ve seen this summer, Rafla says the creatures might be getting closer to cities and towns as they look for food.
“The switch is on, bears have to put on weight, they have to feed. They’re very focused on getting calories. This year because it’s not as abundant, at least in concentration, they’re going to have to travel a little bit further field finding those good spots for berries on the landscape.”
Rafla says overall the season is below average to poor in certain areas, but he adds there is still food for bears to feast on.
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Bears feed on multiple berries but the most abundant source of food for them in and around the park is Sheperdia, also known as Buffaloberry.
“They’re the most common and prevalent and they are often seen alongside trails or disturbed habitat. They’re not only seen there but they are seen along trails because there’s just a bit more sun coming out onto those areas of the forest. That’s their primary abundant berry although there are other species of berries in different elevations and so they’ll make use of those other berries as well,” said Rafla.
He stresses that there’s nothing unusual about this year, noting that this is just what bears do.
What does that mean for people heading to the mountain parks?
Rafla is asking that people be smart and aware that the bears are in the area and focused on food.
He points out that the Parks Canada website has lots of information about any bear warnings and there’s a weekly bear report that tells you where bears have been spotted recently.
