Latest news with #AlbertaForestryandParks
Global News
10 hours ago
- Politics
- Global News
No arrests, but G7 security forces responded to more than 200 wildlife incidents
Despite several days of demonstrations by hundreds of protesters during the G7 summit, the head of security for the event said nobody was arrested and no tickets were issued. 'Those choosing to express themselves largely conducted themselves in the lawful, peaceful, and safe manner,' said RCMP Chief Supt. David Hall of the Integrated Safety and Security Group, during a media briefing in Calgary on Wednesday. The massive security force was a joint operation led by the RCMP, with assistance from the Calgary police, Alberta Sheriffs, Alberta Forestry and Parks and the Canadian Armed Forces. View image in full screen Protests during the G7 summit were restricted to 3 officially designated protests zones in Calgary and one in Banff. Global News The biggest security threat came when NORAD (North American Air Defence Command) was forced to scramble CF-18 fighter jets to intercept a small civilian aircraft that entered the no-fly zone around the site of the summit in Kananaskis Country, about an hour west of Calgary. Story continues below advertisement After 'multiple steps' to get the pilots attention, before resorting to 'final warning measures,' the fighter jet pilots were able to get the pilot to land in Brooks, Alta., about two hours east of Kananaskis, where the pilot was met by the RCMP. Temporary air space restrictions were put in place during the summit within 30 nautical miles centred on Kananaskis village, and within a 20 nautical mile radius from Calgary International Airport. Get daily National news Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy So far, no explanation has been provided to the public about why the plane entered the restricted airspace. 'At this time, the RCMP has not laid charges, and some of our partner agencies are looking at applicable regulatory offences, but at this time it's not my understanding that any charges have been laid at this point,' said Hall. 'If criminal charges were to were to be laid — and at this point it's premature to say whether that's the case or not — that would be done by the RCMP. However, there are other regulatory offences, which may be more appropriate to the circumstance at the conclusion of an investigation, and those would be managed by other agencies such as Transportation Canada,' added Hall. 1:55 RCMP unveils security operation plans for G7 summit Supt. Brian Sundberg with Alberta Forestry and Parks said security forces also responded to approximately 200 wildlife-related incidents in the area around the summit. Story continues below advertisement 'About half of those were to both grizzly bear and black bear reports,' said Sundberg. 'I'm very happy to say that all of those are minor in nature and as a result we were able to take minimal action to move the the risk away for both the wildlife and the bears and there were no relocations or no significant efforts needed.' View image in full screen G7 security forces said they responded to more than 200 wildlife complaints during the event, with about half of them involving concerns about grizzly or black bears. Global News Sundberg said security crews were able to use bear spray, bear bangers, chalk balls and other deterrents — and in some cases dogs — to scare off the animals. They were also prepared to use traps if necessary. 'I'm very happy to say that all of those are minor in nature and as a result we were able to take minimal action to move the the risk away for both the wildlife and the bears and there were no relocations or no significant efforts needed,' added Sundberg. Story continues below advertisement The final cost of security for the summit has yet to be announced. 'It's important to remember we're not finished,' said Hall. 'We have a lot of work to do to demobilize our security posture — all of our respective organizations need to kind of wind down their operations and at some we will tally all those costs and those will be made publicly available.'
Yahoo
12-04-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Legendary grizzly 'The Boss' and other Alberta bears emerging from winter dens
The Boss is awake and ready for another year of munching grains and tromping around the Bow Valley. Banff National Park's iconic dominant grizzly bear, officially known as bear No. 122, was spotted by Parks Canada staff in the lower Bow Valley on Monday. Alberta's bears typically emerge from their winter dens throughout April and May, according to Alberta Forestry and Parks, and an increasing number of sighting are being reported. With warm weather in the forecast for much of Alberta and more bears leaving their dens daily, the province issued a safety alert on Friday, urging hikers and backcountry users to be careful and plan ahead. "We ask everyone enjoying Alberta's trails, parks and great outdoors to be alert," Alberta's Minister of Forestry and Parks Todd Loewen said in a news release. "Bear safety is a shared responsibility, and simple precautions can help prevent serious encounters." Reports of active bears are coming in from around the province, said John Paczkowski, human wildlife coexistence team lead with Alberta Forestry and Parks. "Some people are still out there skiing and snowshoeing, going to the backcountry. But it's time to, you know, dust off your bear spray," he said. "Make sure you're carrying bear spray [and] know how to use it." Paczkowski also recommends those spending time outside travel in groups, make plenty of noise, manage attractants like garbage and leash their dogs. The Boss was photographed by a trail camera in the Bow Valley on Monday. (Banff National Park) Big males head to valley bottoms to find food Bear No. 122 was photographed by a remote camera on Monday. It's no surprise that The Boss, who in the past has been estimated to weigh 450 pounds, is among the first grizzlies spotted in the area this spring, according to conservationists. Large male bears typically emerge from their dens first, followed by single females — females with cubs bring up the rear, said WildSmart program director Nick de Ruyter. He said the chances of encountering a bear are highest at this time of year, with natural food sources still scarce. "They're hungry, they're looking for food. Because there's snow up high, the only food they can find is in the valley bottoms," said de Ruyter. "So, we're sharing this finite space in the valley bottoms with bears and other wildlife: elk and deer and cougars and wolves and coyotes." During the spring months, bears typically feed on carcasses, grasses, dandelions and other plants, he added. "Unfortunately, green grass and dandelions grow in backyards, playgrounds, parks, sports fields, along trails, along highways. And that's why also the springtime is extra dangerous for wildlife," said de Ruyter. De Ruyter and Paczkowski are among those sharing bear safety information Saturday at Bear Day, an education event happening at the Canmore Nordic Centre Day Lodge. Anyone who shows up can practice spraying bear spray, learn about bear behaviour and watch a bear trapping demonstration. The province says bear sightings or dangerous wildlife activity can be reported to Fish and Wildlife by calling 1-800-642-3800. Banff National Park said area closures may be implemented as bear activity ramps up. Active closures will be posted online.
CBC
12-04-2025
- Climate
- CBC
Legendary grizzly 'The Boss' and other Alberta bears emerging from winter dens
Province issues safety advisory, urges backcountry users to be careful The Boss is awake and ready for another year of munching grains and tromping around the Bow Valley. Banff National Park's iconic dominant grizzly bear, officially known as bear No. 122, was spotted by Parks Canada staff in the lower Bow Valley on Monday. Alberta's bears typically emerge from their winter dens throughout April and May, according to Alberta Forestry and Parks, and an increasing number of sighting are being reported. With warm weather in the forecast for much of Alberta and more bears leaving their dens daily, the province issued a safety alert on Friday, urging hikers and backcountry users to be careful and plan ahead. "We ask everyone enjoying Alberta's trails, parks and great outdoors to be alert," Alberta's Minister of Forestry and Parks Todd Loewen said in a news release. "Bear safety is a shared responsibility, and simple precautions can help prevent serious encounters." Reports of active bears are coming in from around the province, said John Paczkowski, human wildlife coexistence team lead with Alberta Forestry and Parks. "Some people are still out there skiing and snowshoeing, going to the backcountry. But it's time to, you know, dust off your bear spray," he said. "Make sure you're carrying bear spray [and] know how to use it." Paczkowski also recommends those spending time outside travel in groups, make plenty of noise, manage attractants like garbage and leash their dogs. Big males head to valley bottoms to find food Bear No. 122 was photographed by a remote camera on Monday. It's no surprise that The Boss, who in the past has been estimated to weigh 450 pounds, is among the first grizzlies spotted in the area this spring, according to conservationists. Large male bears typically emerge from their dens first, followed by single females — females with cubs bring up the rear, said WildSmart program director Nick de Ruyter. He said the chances of encountering a bear are highest at this time of year, with natural food sources still scarce. "They're hungry, they're looking for food. Because there's snow up high, the only food they can find is in the valley bottoms," said de Ruyter. "So, we're sharing this finite space in the valley bottoms with bears and other wildlife: elk and deer and cougars and wolves and coyotes." During the spring months, bears typically feed on carcasses, grasses, dandelions and other plants, he added. "Unfortunately, green grass and dandelions grow in backyards, playgrounds, parks, sports fields, along trails, along highways. And that's why also the springtime is extra dangerous for wildlife," said de Ruyter. De Ruyter and Paczkowski are among those sharing bear safety information Saturday at Bear Day, an education event happening at the Canmore Nordic Centre Day Lodge. Anyone who shows up can practice spraying bear spray, learn about bear behaviour and watch a bear trapping demonstration. The province says bear sightings or dangerous wildlife activity can be reported to Fish and Wildlife by calling 1-800-642-3800.
