the Yellowhead Highway and Canadian National Rail line run through the valley from east to west. On average, 120 large mammals are killed each year by traffic and trains. Roads and Rails

the town of Jasper with 5,000 residents lies on one side of the Athabasca River. The Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge and golf course (365 ha or 1000 acres), with 2000 staff and guests, lies on the other side. These two focal points almost block the main wildlife corridor through the valley, forcing wildlife higher up the slopes to pass the bottleneck.

eight “Outlying Commercial Accommodations” (OCAs), most of them located on prime wildlife habitat of riverbanks and lake fronts, cater to 1500 guests.

Parks Canada estimates that on any given day in the peak summer season there are approximately 20,000 people in the town and its environs.

the valley serves as a recreation hub for Jasper residents and visitors, with trails – official and unofficial – crossing in every direction. Large numbers of hikers, joggers, mountain-bikers, horse riders and dogs are not compatible with wary wildlife.

grizzlies, feeding on early spring vegetation, find fewer secure areas in which to feed each year and their movement corridors around the developed area are being fragmented by human-use trails.

in summer, black bears are drawn here to some of the best buffaloberry areas in the park, but wardens are often forced to remove them as they become increasingly habituated to the high concentration of humans and food. Attempts at relocation are rarely successful: at least 80% of relocated bears return to their previous locations and habits. Most of them are now destroyed immediately.