No-stopping zone implemented for 11 kilometres on Highway 93 South

What's happening?

• In order to protect motorist and wildlife safety Parks Canada is implementing a no stopping zone for 11 km between the McKay Compound to Cobb Lake on Highway 93 South in Kootenay National Park and is asking motorists not to pull over and view wildlife in this area. 
• Parks Canada is monitoring the area between 7 am to 9 pm when wildlife is most active and asking motorists not to stop along the roadside to view wildlife. The no stopping zone will be removed once wildlife naturally moves into higher elevations when natural food sources become more abundant.

Why is this being done?

• Wildlife, particularly bears are very active along the Kootenay Parkway (Highway 93 South) in the spring. Vehicles stopping along curved corners with narrow shoulders puts motorists and wildlife at risk.
• When too many people stop to view bears and other wildlife, animals are at greater risk of becoming habituated, or losing their natural fear of people. This increases their risk of being struck by a vehicle or exhibiting aggressive behaviour towards humans that could lead to the animal being destroyed.

What does this mean for you?

• If you see wildlife in the no stopping zone, do not stop to view them.
• If you see wildlife on the roadside in other areas on the parks please consider not stopping in order to give wildlife the space they need.
• If you do decide to stop, only pull over at designated view points or watch for traffic, ensure your vehicle is completely on the shoulder, do not get out of your vehicle and don’t stay for longer than a minute.
• If you do see wildlife along the roadway please contact Park Dispatch at 1-403-762-1470 as soon as possible and let them know the exact location of the animal, type and colour, if it has young, and if it has identifiers such as a collar or ear tags.

Parks Canada greatly appreciates your help and cooperation in keeping roadways and wildlife safe. Learn more about safely viewing bears below or stop in at a Parks Canada Visitor Centre.

• Wildlife at the roadside
• Kootenay Visitor Centre