Parks Canada video catches 1st black bear to use wildlife crossing

Parks Canada has spent a lot of time and money building wildlife crossings under highways in Kootenay National Park and researchers got a pleasant surprise when they discovered one of the underpasses being used for the first time by a black bear.

The remote cameras caught the bear on June 20 while it meandered under one of the crossing structures.

• On mobile? Click here to watch the bear video

Parks Canada says it can take years for wildlife to adapt to new crossings like the ones in the park.

Earlier this year, parks staffreleased avideo of a family of wolves using the underpass throughout the winter.

In August, it was announced Parks Canada would receive an additional $9.6 million to complete the second phase of the Kootenay Wildlife Crossings Project.

The construction of the underpasses is also billed as increasing the safety of motorists who drive on the highways.

• On mobile? Click here to watch the wolves using the underpass