Banff National Park issues bear warning after ‘contact with a tent’

A stock photo of a bear. (Pexels/Rasmus Svinding)

A bear warning has been issued for Lake Minnewanka Trail in Banff National Park.

The warning, issued by Parks Canada on May 17, indicates that a female bear and her offspring “made contact with a tent” in a campground in the area.

“Be prepared to encounter a bear at any time in this area,” cautions the alert.

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“Make noise when hiking and cycling, keep pets on leash and a close eye on children.”

The alert also warns people to not only carry bear spray, but know how to use it.

Bear sightings in Banff can be reported to the visitor’s centre or Banff dispatch at 403-762-1470.

The warning is expected to remain in place until June 15.

Johnston Canyon Trail is also seeing access restricted, because of an endangered bird species, not a bear.

A May 15 alert says use of the trail from the lower trail sign to the Ink Pots/Moose Meadows junction is prohibited, thanks to a small population of black swifts, which have to be protected from human disturbances under the Canada’s Species at Risk Act.

Parks Canada says the closure is expected to be in place until Nov. 15.

Violators may be charged and fined up to $25,000.

At Vermillion Lake, an area has been closed off to all traffic or travel at the north end of the lake – including the shoreline and nearby waters – to protect nesting loons.

The closure is expected to end by June 27.

Again, violators may be charged and fined up to $25,000.