Park Wardens arrested and charged a hiker under the Canada National Parks Act after he shot and injured a bear in Jasper National Park..According to Parks Canada, on Saturday a person called into Jasper Dispatch to report their friend had shot a black bear while hiking on the Overlander Trail, approximately 7 km east of the trailhead at Sixth Bridge Day Use Area.."They reported seeing a black bear approximately 25 to 40 metres away. They fired a warning shot at the bear using a 20-gauge shotgun," Parks Canada Media Relations Officer Kevin Gedling told the Western Standard.."The bear reacted but did not run away, the individual then fired a second shot that hit the bear. The bear was injured and rolled down a short creek bank out of sight and the person promptly left the scene.".Human Wildlife Conflict staff and Park Wardens met the person at the trailhead. Park Wardens then arrested the person at the trailhead.."After being interviewed at the detachment, charges were laid and the person was released," Gedling said..The extent of the injuries sustained by the black bear are unknown. A search of the area located the scene where the bear had been shot.."A quantity of blood was located at the scene, which confirms that the bear was struck and injured. The search for the bear was very challenging due to dense forest conditions and topography," Gedling said..Gedling told the Western Standard injured bears can be very aggressive when encountered in close quarters, so any further searches must be approached with extreme caution.."On Sunday, August 7, Parks Canada staff continued the search on the ground and using a drone to cover a wider area. The bear was not located and the area remains closed for public safety.".Further area sweeps will be conducted prior to the trail being reopened.."Park Wardens arrested, interviewed, and charged the suspect with several counts under the Canada National Parks Act. The investigation is still ongoing and any final charges and outcomes will be determined by the courts at a later date," Gedling said.
