Could it be that they don’t want bears to associate the public places where the parents bring those kids with a food source? This was my first thought before even clicking the link and reading the rest of the article... I would think that parents would welcome this particular effort as it makes it safer for their kids and everyone who visits. Also, according to the article the ban is only in place during the times in which bears are common in the area (till fall).
I used to live in Colorado, and the amount of people who thought it was cool to feed the big horn sheep potato chips and other various food items was ridiculous. Luckily though, big horn sheep don’t have a habit of mauling people to death...
I’m well aware of the ridiculous laws that are sometimes pushed by the environmentalists that ends up harming more than it helps. However, I personally think the complaints are a little off-base in this case. Would you rather some idiot brings hamburgers, and a bear decides to maul a small child - which of course you will pay for out of your tax dollars when said idiot blames the park for not “protecting his child”...
I see the reason for this rule, personally. It makes even more sense than the signs in the zoos warning “Please don’t feed the bears”.
I blame Disney and their anthropomorphizing of woodland critters.
Lord knows you can’t blame the people feeding the animals for being flippin’ idiots.