**** Parks Canada Media Release

Park Closure continues for Visitor and Wildlife Safety

Human and wildlife safety is of the utmost importance to Parks Canada. Parks Canada takes action to promote coexistence between people and wildlife, to ensure the well-being and safety of both.

Parks Canada is maintaining the closure at Kejimkujik National Park Seaside due to increased black bear activity in the St. Catherine’s area. Safety measures will remain in place until further notice.

The safety and risk factors are carefully considered when making decisions to temporarily close a park/trail. To protect visitors and wildlife and these restrictions are in place by order of the Superintendent.

The black bear population at Kejimkujik Seaside is healthy, thanks to the largely undisturbed habitat and abundant food supply. The increased activity being observed is not unusual. It is likely the bears will move away from the shoreline as food becomes more plentiful in the woods.

By reducing the potential of bear-human encounters through the guidelines and closures, Parks Canada is encouraging natural black bear behaviour and reducing the likelihood of risky behaviour which can happen when bears become habituated to humans.

Parks Canada appreciates the cooperation of visitors, local residents, and community members. By respecting these guidelines, we all contribute towards coexisting with the wildlife and protecting the diverse species that make this place so special.

Parks Canada will continue to monitor the situation and communicate on changes to site access as they are determined.