Three more backcountry users were handed hefty fines after pleading guilty to entering areas closed for the protection of Jasper National Park’s dwindling caribou herds.
Each of the accused was fined $1,500 in Jasper Provincial Court March 10.
So far this year, six people have been fined under the National Park Act for entering the closed areas.
According to the facts read in court, Marylene Bertholet was caught snowshoeing in the Bald Hills area approximately two kilometres past the caribou closure, Jan 2.
She was caught with Delphine Saillard, who pled guilty to the same charge on Feb. 11 in Jasper Provincial Court.
“I’m sorry that I did this,” said Bertholet. “It was a very dumb thing for us to do.”
Judge Vaughn Myers thanked Bertholet for taking responsibility, but reiterated that pleading ignorance is not an excuse, as the caribou closures are well signed and trail information is available on
Parks Canada’s website, as well as at the Jasper Information Centre.
Scott Brennan was next on the docket.
He ignored closure signs and ventured into the Bald Hills area on Jan. 23. Brennan pled guilty and accepted the $1,500 fine.
“I’d just like to apologize for my ignorance,” said Brennan.
The third case was similar to the two before it.
On Jan. 31, Griffin Goldie was caught trespassing in the Maligne mountain range. She too pled guilty and received a $1,500 fine.
“I do apologize. I understand my actions,” said Goldie.
Parks Canada lifted its remaining caribou closures on March 1 allowing backcountry users to venture into the Maligne-Brazeau and North Boundary areas for the first time this winter.
The area was originally closed Nov. 1, 2015 to help protect Jasper’s dwindling caribou herds, considered a species at risk.
Cavell Road, Portal Creek and the Tonquin Valley were also closed Nov. 1, 2015, but reopened Feb. 16.
According to Parks Canada, the closures are in place to help protect caribou from wolves, which use human tracks to hunt the species at risk in the alpine.
Two others have pled not guilty to charges of trespassing in caribou closures and will have their day in court on Aug. 25.
Paul Clarke
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