By Shane Clausing

jasper national park

Jasper National Park extends Restrictive Activity Order until August 31

Jul 6, 2020 | 2:36 PM

Jasper National Park announced Monday that it has extended it’s Restrictive Activity Order until August 31.

The order was initially put in place on June 9, as a result of reports that a noticeable amount of visitors to the park were getting too close to wildlife to take pictures.

In an interview with EverythingGP last month, the Resource Conservation Officer for Jasper National Park, David Argument, said that people leaving their vehicles isn’t just unsafe for humans, but also for the wildlife.

“It results in habituation and can lead to problems down the road for these animals that are put under constant stress by being crowded by people out of the vehicles.”

With the act implemented until the end of August, visitors are barred from getting within 100 metres of any bear, cougar or wolf, or within 30 metres of any elk, moose, caribou sheep, or goat – except when completely inside a legally positioned motor vehicle.

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Those that fail to comply with the rules could face stiff penalties such as a maximum fine of up to $25,000 and a mandatory court date.

“I’d refer to it as a tool of last resort,” said Argument. “We certainly aren’t anticipating on having to rely on this tool frequently, but it gives us the ability to address those concerns where people are disregarding that guidance.”

Argument added that he doesn’t want to see this rule become permanent.

Meantime, some minor work continues along Highway 16, about 10 km east of Jasper, as a result of damage caused by flooding during last week’s rainfall. The park says the Yellowhead Highway near Snaring River will have crews making repairs during the daytime, so you can expect delays in that area.

“While it has been possible to open both lanes at times, additional work is still required in this area to complete the remediation,” park officials say in a statement. “Single lane alternating traffic and 20-minute delays should be expected over the next few days between 9 am and 5 pm.”