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

Missing 10-Year-Old Girl Who Needs Medication Found Safe And Sound

Missing 10-Year-Old Girl Who Needs Medication Found Safe And Sound
  Vancouver police say a missing 10-year-old girl has been located safe and sound.

Missing 10-Year-Old Girl Who Needs Medication Found Safe And Sound

Woman Says Trudeau Apologized Day After Incident At B.C. Festival In 2000

Woman Says Trudeau Apologized Day After Incident At B.C. Festival In 2000
Rose Knight also confirms she is the reporter who was referred to in an editorial 18 years ago in the Creston Valley Advance that said she was groped by Trudeau while covering the event.

Woman Says Trudeau Apologized Day After Incident At B.C. Festival In 2000

Montreal Firefighter Dies In Fall On Pakistan's Treacherous K2 Mountain

Montreal Firefighter Dies In Fall On Pakistan's Treacherous K2 Mountain
A Montreal firefighter who fell to his death on Pakistan's treacherous K2 mountain is being remembered as a passionate mountaineer whose courage and "unwavering spirit" propelled him to ascend the world's highest peaks.

Montreal Firefighter Dies In Fall On Pakistan's Treacherous K2 Mountain

Two-Metre-Long Pet Python Named Gypsy Missing In Delta, B.C., Police Say

The caramel-coloured pet snake named Gypsy went missing in a farmer's field on June 30.

Two-Metre-Long Pet Python Named Gypsy Missing In Delta, B.C., Police Say

B.C. Man Jordan Carbery Recovers In Hospital After Attack By Mother Grizzly Bear

B.C. Man Jordan Carbery Recovers In Hospital After Attack By Mother Grizzly Bear
A park ranger is grateful to be alive after a terrifying grizzly bear attack outside his home in Bella Coola, B.C.

B.C. Man Jordan Carbery Recovers In Hospital After Attack By Mother Grizzly Bear

Calgary Truck Driver Jaskirat Sidhu Criminally Charged In Broncos Bus Crash To Appear In Court

Calgary Truck Driver Jaskirat Sidhu Criminally Charged In Broncos Bus Crash To Appear In Court
Sidhu is charged with 16 counts of dangerous driving causing death and 13 counts of dangerous driving causing bodily injury.

Calgary Truck Driver Jaskirat Sidhu Criminally Charged In Broncos Bus Crash To Appear In Court