The Jasper the Bear statue on Patricia Street was vandalized between Saturday afternoon and Monday morning, with what appears to be a permanent marker.

Pattie Pavlov, general manager of the Jasper Park Chamber of Commerce, said she tried to scrub off the writing, but it won’t budge.

“It just looks terrible,” she said on Monday afternoon. “Who would deface our beloved bear?”

Pavlov said she’s especially disappointed because there is still one more week of Jasper in January, so there will be many tourists coming to town wanting to have their picture taken with Jasper’s mascot.

The vandalism was reported and the RCMP is now requesting assistance from anyone who may have witnessed the vandalism. If you have any information, you’re asked to contact the RCMP at 780-852-4848.