JASPER, ALBERTA – Parks Canada says a grizzly bear cub has been orphaned after his mother was fatally trapped on a road in Jasper National Park.
A Parks Canada press release says the mother was with her puppy on Highway 16, about five miles east of the town of Jasper, on Thursday night when a commercial transport truck hit her.
The statement said the driver of the truck reported it to the Parks Canada shipment and remained at the scene until help arrived.
The puppy was located early Friday, according to the statement, and appeared to be doing well.
He says Parks Canada staff will be closely monitoring the puppy for the next few days.
He says the puppy is big enough that he has probably learned some of the tools he needs to survive on his own, and that removing or moving bears is always a last resort.
“Removing wildlife from the landscape can have serious impacts on future bear populations in general and their viability, and relocating bears can increase the potential for conflict with other bears and reduce their chances of success,” he said. explained Parks Canada in the press release.
Parks Canada reminds motorists to help prevent bear collisions by obeying published speed limits and slowing down speed in traffic congestion areas or when wildlife is observed.
It also calls on people to adhere to wildlife observation guidelines in parks, stay in vehicles in the presence of wildlife on the road, and report any serious or unsafe wildlife issues.
This report from The Canadian Press was first published on June 18, 2021.