Encounter with wolf prompts warning for visitors to Banff National Park
Parks Canada is advising people to be cautious in Banff National Park after campers had a close encounter with a lone wolf.
The warning extends from the Fireside day-use area in Bow Valley Parkway to Castle Junction, including all campgrounds and trails in the area.
Parks Canada says the wolf showed “bold behaviour,” which posed a risk to visitors.
Jesse Whittington, an ecologist with Parks Canada, said the warning for the Bow Valley Parkway — which runs between Banff and Lake Louise — was issued this week when a collared wolf entered the Castle Mountain campground on the night of 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.
Whittington said the wolf didn’t receive any food rewards from campers but added “her persistent behaviour” while being so close to campers “was concerning.”
“Once wolves and wildlife become conditioned to human food, it’s so hard to change their behaviour,” Whittington said.
Whittington said parks staff have been monitoring the wolf and she hasn’t returned to the campground.
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 that same year after becoming aggressive with campers.
Both wolves had gotten into food and garbage left at campsites.
Campers are advised to never approach, entice or feed wildlife, Parks Canada said in a news release.
Anyone spending time near the affected areas or out in the backcountry should ensure all food, garbage and pet food are stored inside a building or vehicle.
“Supervise children and keep pets on a leash at all times,” Parks Canada said.
“If you are approached by a wolf, act aggressively to discourage it from approaching.”
Hikers are also encouraged to carry bear spray and make sure they know how to use it before heading out into the woods.
There were a number of closures in Banff earlier this year, all due to activity by bears.
Back in June a black bear ventured into campgrounds in the Spray River area, prompting closures in the park.
And just last month two hikers escaped injury when a can of bear spray discharged in a grizzly’s mouth after the bruin bit down on it during an incident in Kananaskis Country.