Motorist finds three bear cubs trapped in roadside washroom
Three very young black bear cubs are now in the care of Parks Canada after being discovered locked in a washroom just west of Banff.
The cubs, estimated to be about three months old, were found by a motorist stopping at the TransCanada Highway turnout overlooking Vermilion Lakes on April 1.
“Someone stopped to use the washroom about 11 p.m. and found them in there,” said Parks Canada spokeswoman Christina Tricomi.
“We don’t know how long they were in there. They’re healthy, but obviously a little stressed out.”
Parks staff have no idea how they cubs came to be in the washroom and can’t locate the mother. They checked wildlife cameras at the nearest underpass and spent 48 hours patrolling the area, but they haven’t found any sign of her.
The cubs, which are so young they require bottle feeding, are being looked after by a single Parks Canada employee to minimize human interaction with the bears.
Parks Canada officials have been in conversations all week with zoos, rescue and rehabilitation centres across the country, since the cubs are too young to survive without their mother. The goal would be to raise the cubs until they can return to the wild.
Despite reports on social media that has the bears going to Aspen Valley Wildlife Sanctuary in Ontario or Northern Lights Wildlife Society in Smithers, B.C., no arrangements or agreements have been struck, said Sheila Luey, acting superintendent for Banff National Park.
“We have spent a lot of energy over the week talking to a number of facilities about the potential to ‘rehome’ the bears,” Luey.
“Finding a rehab facility is complicated in terms of expertise, with the right space, permissions, success and a licence. It’s not an easy fix.”
Although the Cochrane Research Institute had taken in orphaned bears in the past, Alberta banned the practice in 2010.
Anyone who may have seen bears hanging around the facility last Saturday is asked to call Parks Canada at 403-762-1470.