A black bear that had made its den near the Goat’s Eye gondola station at Sunshine Village ski resort in Banff was relocated by Parks Canada on October 31 to ensure public safety before hibernation. Banff Field Unit resource conservation manager Dylan Spencer stated that the bear’s den location posed a risk to visitors as the bear could be disturbed by ski area users passing close by, potentially leading to dangerous encounters. Despite considering closing the area around the den, it was deemed impractical due to operational traffic and safety concerns.
Sunshine Village, located southwest of Banff, recently opened for skiing and snowboarding following heavy snowfall. The bear was found denning at the ski resort four days before being relocated, with Parks Canada not disclosing the relocation site. The bear, which recovered well from the relocation process, will be monitored using a GPS collar.
As bears in Alberta prepare for hibernation, the black bear in question must find a new den to survive the winter. While establishing a new den late in the season may be challenging, there is still sufficient time for the bear to do so. Expert Gordon Stenhouse mentioned that bears don’t have a narrow window for denning and will continue to be active for some time. Moving the bear introduces competition with other bears in the area.
Male bears typically hibernate later than females, influenced by various environmental factors such as food availability, temperatures, and snow conditions. The recent snowfall in Banff, with over 20 centimeters in some areas, signals the transition to winter conditions that aid in the denning process. Cold temperatures help the bears create dens without the risk of collapse, ensuring a safe and stable hibernation period.