At least 10 bears using townsite to feed on ornamental fruit and berry trees

Jasper National Park is planning to remove several bears from the townsite.

For weeks, multiple black bears, including two sets of female bears with cubs, have been feeding on the abundant fruit in a variety of non-native fruit trees in the community.

“The continuous presence of bears in the townsite, often in residential yards just metres from people, is an unacceptable safety risk for visitors and residents,” a September 8 statement from Jasper National Park’s media relations team reads.

Currently at least 10 individual bears are known to be using the townsite, according to wildlife officials. Parks Canada will begin efforts to trap a number of these bears in the coming days. Jasper National Park has a “family trap,” on loan from Banff National Park, to capture mothers with cubs together.

“Bears will be humanely caught … and taken to remote areas of the park,” Parks Canada says.

Trapping and moving bears is not always successful. In some instances, bears will return for the “easy, reliable food sources” they’ve become accustomed to in the townsite.

“If this occurs, Parks Canada staff may be forced to destroy ‘problem bears’ that continue to inhabit the townsite,” the statement reads.

Parks Canada is asking residents to consider removing their fruit trees and/or harvesting all the available fruit, including mayday trees, chokecherries and apple trees.

“If you see a bear trap in your neighbourhood, keep your distance and respect the closures around the trap,” the bulletin says.

Report all bear sightings in Jasper to Parks Canada dispatch at 780-852-6155. The same number can be called to request Parks Canada’s assistance in removing non-native fruit trees.

Bob Covey // bob@thejasperlocal.com