Park requires bear-proof canisters for campers

ROCKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK - People camping overnight in Rocky Mountain National Park's backcountry will have to carry bear-proof food canisters starting Friday.

Park officials say increasing numbers of bears have been getting into people's food, resulting in conflicts between the animals and people. Two men were seriously injured in 2003 by a bear that park rangers believe was used to rummaging through campers' food.

The men had stored their food correctly.

Food canisters have been required at some backcountry camp sites because of bears. Park officials say some campers don't hang their food from trees to keep bears out of it. Sometimes there are no trees nearby.

Campers will have to show they have a food canister when they get their backcountry camping permit.