Bear sightings mean lots of trail closures in mountains for long weekend

Visitors to the mountain parks west of Calgary face multiple trail closures this long weekend as a bumper berry crop continues to attract bears.

The bear closure map of areas and trails around Canmore is currently a sea of red.

Danielle Labonte with Switching Gear, an outdoor store in Canmore, said visitors are asking more about bears, equipment like bear spray and advice on trails.

"Yeah, the tourists are concerned, they feel like hiking, they are here for that and they definitely want to feel safe and they do ask us what we know," she said.

It's important for visitors to be aware of closures, but it doesn't stop there.

"Definitely don't go on anything that's got a closure, but even then that's no guarantee so you've got to keep your wits about you," said Dean Christou, who works at the Outside Bike & Ski in Canmore.

There are consequences for those who ignore signs, beyond potentially being mauled by a bear.

"It's a mandatory court appearance," said Terry Willis, a park warden supervisor in Banff. "The things with human and wildlife interaction we take pretty seriously."

Willis said there can are also be fines of up to $25,000.

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