Friday, March 29, 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

Injured Vancouver Man Dies After Collision On Robson Street In West End

Injured Vancouver Man Dies After Collision On Robson Street In West End
A 43-year-old Vancouver man has died following a collision involving two vehicles in downtown Vancouver in late August.

Injured Vancouver Man Dies After Collision On Robson Street In West End

You Can Be Fined Up To $253 For Speeding In BC School Zones

You Can Be Fined Up To $253 For Speeding In BC School Zones
The Vancouver Police Department today kicked off a traffic enforcement campaign to target unsafe driving behaviour in and around school zones to help keep everyone safe. The VPD and its partners are reminding road users to slow down and pay attention.

You Can Be Fined Up To $253 For Speeding In BC School Zones

Toronto Man Convicted In Husband's Murder Granted Bail While He Appeals Ruling

Toronto Man Convicted In Husband's Murder Granted Bail While He Appeals Ruling
 A Toronto lawyer who conspired with his lover to kill his husband has been released on bail while he appeals his murder conviction.

Toronto Man Convicted In Husband's Murder Granted Bail While He Appeals Ruling

Canada's Children Have High Rates Of Suicide, Child Abuse, Infant Mortality: Report

Canada's Children Have High Rates Of Suicide, Child Abuse, Infant Mortality: Report
Canada's global reputation as a healthy place to raise children is belied by statistics showing strikingly high rates of suicide, child abuse and struggles with mental health, a new report suggested Tuesday.

Canada's Children Have High Rates Of Suicide, Child Abuse, Infant Mortality: Report

Police Arrest Man Wanted In Connection With Toronto's Yorkdale Mall Shooting

Police Arrest Man Wanted In Connection With Toronto's Yorkdale Mall Shooting
Police allege two groups of men had an altercation inside Yorkdale Shopping Centre around 2:50 p.m. on Thursday when two shots were fired.

Police Arrest Man Wanted In Connection With Toronto's Yorkdale Mall Shooting

Travellers Complain About Rude, Disrespectful Canadian Border Officers

Travellers Complain About Rude, Disrespectful Canadian Border Officers
The total number of complaints through the CBSA's online "Compliments, Comments and Complaints" website remains a tiny fraction of the 95 million travellers seen by officers in the past year.

Travellers Complain About Rude, Disrespectful Canadian Border Officers

PrevNext