Pharaoh Lake area closed to public after bear found eating carcass of another bear [Video]

A dead bear, the appearance of more bears and then one of those bears eating the dead bear have led Parks Canada to shut down a sizeable bit of Banff backcountry.

Parks Canada says the trail connecting Pharaoh Lake, Black Rock Lake and Sphinx Lake and the surrounding area will be closed from Oct. 2 through Oct. 31.

“Parks Canada staff responded to a report of a bear carcass that had been discovered in the Pharaoh Lake area. Parks Canada received reports of other bears spotted in the area. Parks Canada has implemented an area closure to ensure public safety,” Parks Canada said in an emailed statement.

An area closure bulletin on Parks Canada’s website states “black bear on a carcass in the area,” as the reason for the closure.

In its statement, Parks Canada confirmed it was the same bear carcass.

“Parks Canada staff observed a black bear, on the carcass of another …