Banff bears use highway crossings to find mates: study

BANFF, Alta. – A new study suggests bears in Banff National Park are crossing the Trans-Canada Highway to find mates as well as food.

Ecologist Mike Sawaya (suh-WYE’-yah) undertook the multi-year study to examine the effectiveness of 25 wildlife crossings Parks Canada has installed across the busy east-west route.

Last summer, Sawaya reported that both black and grizzly bears are using the crossings that go both over and under the highway.

Now he has released research showing genetic evidence that bears from either side of the highway are breeding together.

That’s good news because it means a genetically stronger and healthier population.

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