Close X
Tuesday, November 5, 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

Blue Jays Pitcher Roberto Osuna, Charged With Assault, Has Case Put Over

Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Roberto Osuna, who is charged with assault, had his case put over for three weeks at a brief court hearing today.  

Blue Jays Pitcher Roberto Osuna, Charged With Assault, Has Case Put Over

Starbucks, Citing Ocean Threat, Is Ditching Plastic Straws From All Locations

Vancouver Starbucks locations will be the first in Canada to serve drinks without plastic straws as it works to eliminate the product from all its stores by 2020, the company announced Monday.

Starbucks, Citing Ocean Threat, Is Ditching Plastic Straws From All Locations

Grizzly Hunters From EU Granted Permits To Export From B.C. Despite Ban: Report

Grizzly Hunters From EU Granted Permits To Export From B.C. Despite Ban: Report
A new report commissioned by the David Suzuki Foundation says hunters from the European Union were granted export permits for grizzly bear trophies from British Columbia, even though the EU has banned the import of the items.

Grizzly Hunters From EU Granted Permits To Export From B.C. Despite Ban: Report

Propeller Issue Fixed On B.C. Ferry After Cancellations Sunday And Monday

Propeller Issue Fixed On B.C. Ferry After Cancellations Sunday And Monday
The BC Ferry Queen of New Westminster is back in action after crews fixed mechanical problems that prompted a total of eight sailing cancellations on Sunday and Monday.

Propeller Issue Fixed On B.C. Ferry After Cancellations Sunday And Monday

Drugs Being Produced At West Kelowna, B.C., House Where Blast Killed Man: Police

Drugs Being Produced At West Kelowna, B.C., House Where Blast Killed Man: Police
RCMP say preliminary findings suggest a rental house that exploded and caught fire in West Kelowna, B.C., was being used as a drug lab.

Drugs Being Produced At West Kelowna, B.C., House Where Blast Killed Man: Police

Vancouver Man, 73, Dies After Collision Between His Car And A Bus

Vancouver Man, 73, Dies After Collision Between His Car And A Bus
A 73-year-old man has died after a crash between his car and a bus in Vancouver on Saturday morning.

Vancouver Man, 73, Dies After Collision Between His Car And A Bus