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Ground squirrels damaging Banff cemeteries

BANFF – The Town of Banff has been live trapping ground squirrels in the Old Banff Cemetery to try to prevent ongoing damage.
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The Town of Banff has been live trapping ground squirrels in the Old Banff Cemetery to try to prevent ongoing damage.

BANFF – The Town of Banff has been live trapping ground squirrels in the Old Banff Cemetery to try to prevent ongoing damage.

A three-foot screen has been installed around the Old Banff Cemetery and Mountainview Cemetery in a bid to keep the critters out; however, municipal parks staff have also been capturing them at the older Buffalo Street cemetery and releasing them elsewhere.

Town of Banff officials say research has shown that blocking sight-lines, by ways such as the three-foot screen, will prevent ground squirrels from entering an area.

“If ground squirrels can’t see into an area, they won’t go into an area,” said Nadine Setzer, manager of municipal parks for the Town of Banff.
Ground squirrels live in extensive underground burrows where they sleep, rest, store food and raise their young.

The Columbian ground squirrel is perhaps the most commonly seen animal in Banff National Park. Although they hibernate for up to seven months, they are considered a valuable prey species for grizzly bears, coyotes, wolves and golden eagles.

Setzer said the squirrels cause a mess to grave plots, by digging and mounding their homes within peoples’ grave spaces, as well as creating tripping hazards and unsightly cemeteries.

She said they also undermine monuments and retaining walls.

Parks Canada issues a restricted activity permit to allow for trapping during a two-week window in spring and a 30-day period in July and August.

“We live trap them and take them to a pre-determined location set by Parks Canada,” said Setzer.

“Last year we moved over 88 ‘temporary residents.’ This year I believe it was under 30 and we didn’t see much activity in July and August.”
Setzer said the squirrels will continue to need to be managed.

“This fencing isn’t a cure all; rather a management tool,” she said.

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