Close X
Tuesday, November 26, 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

Indigenous Pipeline Protesters Take Over B.C. Park, Displace Campers, Erect 'Tiny Homes'

Indigenous Pipeline Protesters Take Over B.C. Park, Displace Campers, Erect 'Tiny Homes'
An Indigenous group calling itself the Tiny House Warriors has moved into the North Thompson River Provincial Park near Clearwater, B.C., in an effort to block the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion.

Indigenous Pipeline Protesters Take Over B.C. Park, Displace Campers, Erect 'Tiny Homes'

Indigenous Women Overrepresented In Vancouver Police Checks: Rights Advocates

Indigenous Women Overrepresented In Vancouver Police Checks: Rights Advocates
In June, the B.C. Civil Liberties Association and Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs asked the province's police complaint commissioner to investigate a significant racial disparity in the use of street checks.

Indigenous Women Overrepresented In Vancouver Police Checks: Rights Advocates

Alberta Man Swept Away In British Columbia's Kitimat River Found Dead

Alberta Man Swept Away In British Columbia's Kitimat River Found Dead
Kitimat RCMP, Kitimat Search and Rescue and Terrace Swift Water Rescue located the body just after 11 a.m. Wednesday.

Alberta Man Swept Away In British Columbia's Kitimat River Found Dead

VPD Encouraging Beachgoers To Enjoy Parks And Beaches Safely

VPD Encouraging Beachgoers To Enjoy Parks And Beaches Safely
With temperatures expected to increase in Metro Vancouver this week, Vancouver Police are encouraging residents and visitors to the city to enjoy parks and beaches safely.

VPD Encouraging Beachgoers To Enjoy Parks And Beaches Safely

2 Men Sentenced After Bust Of 'Massive' Burnaby Fentanyl Lab

2 Men Sentenced After Bust Of 'Massive' Burnaby Fentanyl Lab
Two men charged in connection with the largest fentanyl conversion laboratory discovered in Canada were sentenced June 29 in court. 

2 Men Sentenced After Bust Of 'Massive' Burnaby Fentanyl Lab

Card Skimmers Found At 2 Canada Line Stations, Transit Police Warn

Card Skimmers Found At 2 Canada Line Stations, Transit Police Warn
Metro Vancouver Transit Police are investigating the discovery of debit/credit card skimmers located at two Canada Line stations.

Card Skimmers Found At 2 Canada Line Stations, Transit Police Warn