Parks Canada will monitor a grizzly bear cub who was orphaned after his mother was hit by a truck

JASPER, ALBERTA – Parks Canada announces that a grizzly bear cub has been orphaned after its mother was fatally stuck on a highway in Jasper National Park.

A Parks Canada news release says the mother was with her cub on Highway 16, about three miles east of the town of Jasper, late Thursday evening when a commercial transport truck hit her.

The statement said the truck driver reported it to the Parks Canada dispatcher and remained at the scene until help arrived.

The cub was located early Friday, the statement said, and appeared to be doing well.

He says Parks Canada staff will be watching the little one closely in the coming days.

He says the cub is old enough that he’s probably learned some of the tools needed to survive on his own, and that removing or relocating bears is always a last resort.

“The removal of wildlife from the landscape can have serious implications for overall future bear populations and their viability, and moving bears can increase the potential for conflict with other bears and reduce their chances of success,” said explained Parks Canada in the press release.

Parks Canada reminds motorists to help avoid collisions with bears by obeying posted speed limits and slowing down in areas of traffic congestion or when wildlife is spotted.

It also asks people to follow the park’s wildlife viewing guidelines by staying in vehicles when roadside wildlife is present and to report any serious or dangerous wildlife issues.

This report from The Canadian Press was first published on June 18, 2021.

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