Three bear cubs found in roadside washroom near Banff

Friday, April 7, 2017, 5:18 PM - Three black bear cubs were found in a roadside washroom off the Trans-Canada Highway west of Banff last Saturday, and park officials say momma bear is nowhere to be found.

It's estimated the cubs are around three months old, Parks Canada spokesperson Christina Tricomi told The Canadian Press.

They were located about 5 km from the west entrance of Banff National Park, according to the news agency.

"We don't think they were in there too long, it's a pretty well-used washroom and stop area," Tricomi told The Canadian Press.

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There were no signs of any other bears in the area and Parks Canada has no idea where the cubs came from.

The bears are now in the care of Parks Canada as they are too young to survive on their own.

"There was no mother bear in the area," Tricomi told the news agency. "We had the area searched for any signs of bear activity and we didn't see any. We patrolled the area for a few days and no mother bear showed up. We checked out wildlife cameras in the underpass."

Cubs are known to stay with their mother for at least a year, according to Tricomi.

Officials are now assessing where to relocate the bears. Some options include moving the cubs to a rehabilitation facility or a certified zoo.

Parks Canada is requesting anyone with information about the cubs to call 403-760-1570.

SOURCE: The Canadian Press

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