Banff National Park’s superintendent directed Parks Canada wildlife staff to relocate a black bear near a ski resort, citing public safety concerns in documents obtained by CBC News. The relocation happened despite objections from the wildlife staff.
In an email dated October 29, 2025, Sal Rasheed expressed the risk posed to trail users and instructed the relocation of a black bear denning near the Goat’s Eye gondola station and an access road at Sunshine Village Ski Resort. According to the documents, Rasheed defended the decision, likening it to moving animals in other high-traffic areas.
However, wildlife staff disagreed with the approach, suggesting alternative methods to protect the bear’s welfare and public safety. They recommended immediate closure of the area around the den and restricting vehicle traffic speeds, with a long-term goal of relocating the access road farther from the den.
Sunshine Village staff reported the bear’s presence to Parks Canada as the ski resort’s opening approached. Concerns were raised about the potential disruption caused by the bear’s proximity to the main access road serving the resort. Despite efforts to explore various options, including area closures, Parks Canada decided to move the bear, citing public safety as the primary concern.
The relocation of the bear on October 31 faced opposition from wildlife staff who deemed the decision unprecedented and raised ethical concerns about disturbing the bear’s natural habitat. Despite these objections, the bear was successfully relocated, and the den area was secured with boulders.
Experts in the field expressed differing views on the management approach. While some supported the decision to move the bear, others advocated for area closures to minimize human-bear interactions. The complexities of balancing public safety and wildlife conservation in high-traffic areas like ski resorts were highlighted during the discussions.
The ultimate goal was to ensure the bear’s safety and prevent potential conflicts with ski resort visitors. The decision-making process involved weighing the risks posed by human activities against the bear’s natural behavior and habitat needs, reflecting the ongoing challenge of managing wildlife in shared environments.
