{"id":35,"date":"2006-08-04T23:29:00","date_gmt":"2006-08-04T20:29:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/rocky-peak.com\/blog\/?p=35"},"modified":"2006-08-04T23:29:00","modified_gmt":"2006-08-04T20:29:00","slug":"strong-berry-crops-bring-more-bear","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/rocky-peak.com\/blog\/2006\/08\/strong-berry-crops-bring-more-bear.html","title":{"rendered":"Strong berry crops bring more bear warnings"},"content":{"rendered":"

Hikers and campers are being warned once again to be on the watch for bears in the Jasper region.<\/span><\/p>\n

Grizzlies and black bears have been flocking to the area because of strong crops of buffalo berries in the low- and mid-mountain ranges in Jasper National Park, the same areas popular with tourists.<\/span><\/p>\n

Bears are being attracted to tourist areas by bountiful berry crops.<\/span><\/p>\n

“Most of our facilities are those low- to mid-elevation areas. That’s where most of our trails are, that’s where a lot of our back country campgrounds are also, and of course our front country campgrounds,” said Wes Bradford, the park’s wildlife conflict specialist.<\/span><\/p>\n

Bradford says last year’s wet weather is responsible for the strong berry crops.<\/span><\/p>\n

So far there have been no instances of bears actually knocking someone down, but officials say they are getting nearly a call a day about people bumping into bears on the trail.<\/span><\/p>\n

Bradford advises people in the area to travel in groups and check for updates on trail closures.<\/span><\/p>\n

A similar warning was made for the Jasper and Bow Valley regions last month.<\/span><\/p>\n

Source: CBC news<\/a> <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n