The deaths of two bear cubs of a well-known rare white grizzly — known as Bear 178, but nicknamed Nakoda by locals — in Yoho National Park this week has reignited calls for increased awareness and highway safety for those visiting the mountains.
The cubs were struck and killed along the Trans-Canada Highway.
Parks Canada says it received a call about the incident at around 5:15 a.m. on Thursday and staff found the cubs dead when they arrived at the location.
“Wildlife management staff had been monitoring the bears’ movements along the road on June 5, after reports of a fence intrusion,” James Eastham, a communications officer with the agency, said in a written statement.
A day after her cubs were killed, Nakoda was also hit by a car and injured near a turnoff in Yoho National Park. Parks Canada said staff witnessed the collision and have been monitoring Bear 178 since then.
Reduced speed limit for wildlife hazard? Have you ever driven on a rural highway? High speeds, no overhead lighting through vast stretches of nature, often unfenced.
However, you could make a good point for reduced speed limits in national and provincial parks.
And generally signs pointing out the potential for deer and other animals crossing. Will probably opt to drive like mad at night through them? Probably, but you can’t fix stupid nor should you let them take away the rights and privileges of the less stupid