Latest news with #wildlifestaff
CBS News
5 days ago
- CBS News
New York hiking trail closed for over a month due to moose exhibiting "unusual behaviors"
A popular hiking trail in New York's Adirondack Mountains has been closed for more than a month due to a bull moose exhibiting "unusual behaviors," state officials said. The moose has been observed on or near the Goodman Mountain trail in the Horseshoe Lake Wild Forest in northeastern New York. The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation first announced the temporary closure of the trail on June 6, and the agency gave an update recently. The moose "continues to demonstrate unusual behaviors," DEC said in a news release on July 11. "It is suspected that this moose may have an underlying illness influencing behavior as it continues to remain on or near the trail and is not responsive to attempts to move it off the trail." DEC wildlife staff were able to get near the moose on a recent visit to observe its behavior and condition, the department said Friday, but further information about a possible illness was not known. The department is also monitoring the animal with three trail cameras. The trail will remain closed until the agency determines it is safe. "Moose are large animals, and while no signs of aggression have been observed, moose can be dangerous if approached too closely," the department said. Signage about the trail's closure is posted at trailhead and access points.
CTV News
7 days ago
- CTV News
Campground closures lifted in Yoho National Park area
A number of campsites in the Yoho National Park area were reopened Wednesday after being closed due to two incidents involving a black bear. Parks Canada has ended a number of campground closures in the Yoho National Park area. The closures at Takakkaw Falls Campground, Yoho Lake Campground and surrounding trails were lifted effective Wednesday. The parks service said no further bear sightings or incidents have been reported after the closures, which were put in place as a precaution to ensure visitor and staff safety following two incidents on July 7 involving black bears damaging tents. Following those incidents, Parks Canada escorted campers out of the area, set up trail cameras, deployed bear traps, conducted regular patrols and maintained an on-site presence. After a number of days without any more bear sightings, the closures were lifted. Parks officers say they believe the bears have moved into more remote backcountry where there are fewer people and a lot of natural food available, as berry crops have ripened. A bear warning is in effect for the Yoho Valley while Parks Canada wildlife staff continue to monitor for bear activity. Parks Canada wildlife officials say the bears involved weren't considered aggressive but did demonstrate 'bold food-seeking behaviour,' which they say comes from receiving food rewards such as unsecured food, garbage or organic waste. In general, they said, bears prefer to stay away from people when they don't have access to human food.
