Close X
Monday, November 4, 2024
ADVT 
National

Warning Issued In Banff National Park After Female Wolf Approaches Campers

The Canadian Press, 04 Sep, 2018 11:36 PM
  • Warning Issued In Banff National Park After Female Wolf Approaches Campers
BANFF, Alta. — A warning is in effect in Banff National Park after a wolf approached campers in a busy campground.
 
 
Parks Canada ecologist Jesse Whittington said the warning on the Bow Valley Parkway, which runs between Banff and Lake Louise, was issued this week because a collared wolf entered the Castle Mountain campground at night on Aug. 27.
 
 
"She searched through several occupied campsites for food and she approached campers to within one metre and then left the campground," Whittington said in an interview Tuesday.
 
 
"She did not receive any food rewards, which is great, but her persistent behaviour while people were watching and following her was concerning.
 
 
"Once wolves and wildlife become conditioned to human food, it's so hard to change their behaviour."
 
 
The wolf, which found a mate and had at least four pups this spring, was one of the members in the Bow Valley pack that was fitted with a tracking collar in 2016.
 
 
"She was a yearling in 2016 when the Bow Valley Pack became food conditioned," said Whittington. "She and her father were always the most wary wolves.
 
 
"Throughout the summer, she has been roaming throughout the Bow Valley and has always been skittish around people and has not entered into campgrounds, so we were concerned when we received this report of her entering the campground and clearly looking for food."
 
 
Two of the other members of the pack were shot and killed by wildlife officials in the summer of 2016 when they became aggressive with campers.
 
 
Both wolves had gotten into food and garbage left at campsites.
 
 
Whittington said parks staff have been monitoring the wolf and she hasn't returned to the campground.
 
 
But he reminded campers to follow park rules, which include keeping food and garbage secure and not feeding wildlife and giving animals space.
 
 
"It's imperative that she's not presented with any opportunities to get into any human food," said Whittington.

MORE National ARTICLES

Mother Of Girls Shot At Playground Calls For Community Programs To Stop Gun Crime

Mother Of Girls Shot At Playground Calls For Community Programs To Stop Gun Crime
TORONTO — The mother of two young girls who were hit by stray bullets at a Toronto playground last month called Monday for better education and community support programs, not increased police presence, to curb gun violence in the city.

Mother Of Girls Shot At Playground Calls For Community Programs To Stop Gun Crime

Lasia Kretzel, Vancouver Reporter, Calls Out Nigel Farage For Sharing Altered Version Of Her Photo

Lasia Kretzel, Vancouver Reporter, Calls Out Nigel Farage For Sharing Altered Version Of Her Photo
A Vancouver radio reporter says people on social media, including a vocal British politician, should be more careful about spreading fake news.

Lasia Kretzel, Vancouver Reporter, Calls Out Nigel Farage For Sharing Altered Version Of Her Photo

Six-Year-Old Girl Dies After Being Hit By Vehicle At Quebec Camping Ground

Six-Year-Old Girl Dies After Being Hit By Vehicle At Quebec Camping Ground
SAINT-FELIX-DE-VALOIS, Que. — A six-year-old girl has died after being struck by a vehicle at a camping ground 90 kilometres northeast of Montreal.

Six-Year-Old Girl Dies After Being Hit By Vehicle At Quebec Camping Ground

New VPD Guidelines Aim To Facilitate Access To Police Services For Undocumented Immigrants

New VPD Guidelines Aim To Facilitate Access To Police Services For Undocumented Immigrants
 The guidelines encourage access to police services for people with uncertain or no immigration status.

New VPD Guidelines Aim To Facilitate Access To Police Services For Undocumented Immigrants

Toronto Man Killed, B.C. Man Injured After Both Were Swept Over Waterfall

Toronto Man Killed, B.C. Man Injured After Both Were Swept Over Waterfall
MAPLE RIDGE, B.C. — A 21-year-old Toronto man has died after plunging over a waterfall in a provincial park just east of Vancouver.

Toronto Man Killed, B.C. Man Injured After Both Were Swept Over Waterfall

'Life-Altering' Injuries For Burnaby Senior Attacked While Walking In Central Park

'Life-Altering' Injuries For Burnaby Senior Attacked While Walking In Central Park
Police say the unnamed 73-year-old man was walking in Central Park just after 9 p.m. on Sunday evening when he was assaulted.

'Life-Altering' Injuries For Burnaby Senior Attacked While Walking In Central Park