Entering bear DNA sites could cost you $25,000

If you go down in the woods today you’re in for a big surprise, at least if you’re headed into one of 13 areas now shuttered by Parks Canada for grizzly bear DNA collection.

The province says just over a dozen backcountry areas in Banff National Park — each one hectare in size — have been closed off to the public to prevent visitors from stumbling into parts of the park designated as DNA gathering sites.

“Scented lures are used to attract bears so researchers can collect a hair sample,” Parks Canada said in a statement. “These areas are not on trails or in areas heavily visited by the public.”

The hair samples taken from grizzly bears in the Banff area are used to monitor and research the grizzly population in the park.

The closures are in more remote parts of the northern region of the park and fall within the Indian Head, Red Deer and Panther drainage areas, the province said.

The collection sites will stay closed until July 31, and anyone caught entering the cordoned off areas could face a maximum $25,000 fine.

For more information of the closed areas visit www.pc.gc.ca.