LAKE LOUISE, Alta. - Parks Canada's bear program has been forced to scale back its bear team and research budget this summer because no extra money was forthcoming from Ottawa.
According to researchers, who already warn that continuing development will jeopardize the grizzlies' future, a lack of funding for critical research and programs is creating further problems.
"With the amount of traffic that goes through on the railway and highway, and with the amount of tourists there, I don't think park managers have enough money to do the job they'd like to do," says grizzly bear expert Stephen Herrero. "Every little thing like that just decreases the chances of bears doing well."
There are an estimated 60 grizzly bears in Banff National Park, and Lake Louise has one of the highest concentrations of breeding sows in the entire park.
Parks Canada says $350,000 will be dedicated to bear management in Lake Louise this year, including salaries and capital expenses.
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