The Canada-U.S. border remains closed to non-essential travel, but that isn’t stopping some unusual visitors from trying to sneak through.
This week, a young black bear cub approached the Canada Border Service Agency booth between Stewart, B.C. and Hyder, Alaska.
“A traveller sought entry for essential reasons, but had no travel documents,” the CBSA posted on social media Wednesday.
Officials knew just what to do about the wayward traveller.
“After a forceful attempt on its part to cross the border, our officers moved quickly to apprehend and transfer it to the Smithers’ Northern Lights Wildlife Society for the winter,” the CBSA added.
A traveller sought entry for essential reasons, but had no travel documents. After a forceful attempt on its part to…
Posted by Canada Border Services Agency on Wednesday, November 4, 2020
It turns out, the cub had been hanging around the area for quite a while.
The Northern Lights Wildlife Society said it had been trying to track the cub for more than a month.
The animal welfare group responded quickly to the call for help and trapped the very hungry little female bear, which is now in their care and named, Annie.
The cub was only born this year and weighed just 21 pounds, the society explained.
It’s not clear if she was looking to relocate to Canada after the U.S. election, but she will be with the rehab facility through the winter.
And it’s not the first time some wild life approached Canadian border guards.
Take the Pigeon River crossing between northwestern Ontario and Minnesota. That’s where one sly fox made its bid for entry.
“Pigeon River welcomed a special visitor seeking entry for essential reasons,” CBSA posted Oct. 23. “Even wildlife knows to make a full declaration when entering Canada!”
Pigeon River welcomed a special visitor seeking entry for essential reasons. Even wildlife knows to make a full declaration when entering Canada!
Posted by Canada Border Services Agency on Friday, October 23, 2020
The humour in all this was not lost on Canadian officials — and neither was the opportunity to educate travellers.
“Don’t forget the bear necessities when travelling! Make sure you have what you need: http://ow.ly/IpUl50CbNbv,” CBSA tweeted later.
Don’t forget the bear necessities when travelling! Make sure you have what you need: https://t.co/n5mZUdv7Hn https://t.co/LAanZaA4Mg
— Canada Border Services Agency (@CanBorder) November 4, 2020
