13 October 2010

Ottawa Plans to Reduce Railway
Grizzly Bear Deaths

A grizzly bear is shown in this undated Parks Canada photo.

Ottawa Ontario - Ottawa has announced a five-year plan to reduce the number of grizzly bears that are killed along Canadian Pacific railway tracks in Banff National Park.
 
Federal Environment Minister Jim Prentice says the plan will include a review of wildlife fencing in high risk areas and reducing grain spillage on the tracks.
 
Earlier this year, Alberta reclassified the province's rapidly dwindling grizzly population as a threatened species.
 
About a dozen grizzly bears have died after being hit by trains in Banff National Park over the past decade.
 
Experts estimate there are about 60 remaining grizzly bears in the area.
 
Canadian Pacific Railway President Fred Green said the corporation will provide $1 million to launch the joint program.