Public Safety vs. Wildlife Welfare
Banff National Park staff relocated a black bear near Sunshine Village Ski Resort after the park’s superintendent, Sal Rasheed, overruled wildlife staff objections. Documents obtained by CBC News reveal Rasheed cited public safety concerns, saying, “The risk to the thousands of people that use the trail is simply too great.” The bear, denning close to the Goat’s Eye gondola and a busy access road, was moved on October 31, 2025, ahead of the ski season opening.
Wildlife staff had recommended alternatives, including area closures and reduced vehicle speeds, arguing that these measures would protect the bear while still keeping visitors safe. They warned that relocating a denning bear could harm the animal and set a troubling precedent for future management decisions.
Tensions Among Parks Canada Staff
Emails show Parks Canada wildlife ecologists pushed back strongly, with one calling the move “a horrible precedent” and others describing it as “ultimately cruel.” Staff highlighted previous successful strategies, such as closures near Tunnel Mountain and Kicking Horse Mountain Resort, which protected both bears and the public.
Despite these objections, senior management maintained that relocation was the only feasible option. A spokesperson later explained that continuous skier traffic and lack of alternative exit routes made a closure impossible. They also noted that moving the bear minimized the risk of a potential conflict that could have resulted in the animal being euthanized.
Experts Weigh In
Wildlife experts are divided on the best approach. Gord Stenhouse of the Foothills Research Institute said black bears are true hibernators and rarely wake once in their dens, but human disturbance could cause the bear to emerge. Martyn Obbard, president of the International Association for Bear Research and Management, noted that while the risk to skiers was very low, relocating a young bear preemptively may have been safer than waiting.
Other experts consulted by CBC offered mixed opinions: some supported a closure instead of relocation, while others agreed the move was reasonable given the proximity to heavy skier and vehicle traffic. John Clarke, former Alberta Fish and Wildlife officer, emphasized the importance of listening to field experts familiar with both the bear and the area to make informed decisions.
The bear has reportedly found a new den, and the surrounding area is now closed for the season. Parks Canada continues to monitor its welfare.
