BANFF – Parks Canada has closed a backcountry area in Banff National Park becasue a bold wolf is searching for food in tents.
The closure applies for Egypt Lake Campground, Healy Creak Campground and Pharaoh Creek Campground.
"This is because of bold wolf behaviour, including a wolf removing items from a tent, in search of food rewards," according to an information bulletin posted Wednesday (July 8).
On Tuesday (July 7), Parks Canada issued a warning about the same wolf, indicating that special caution is recommended when travelling along the Sunshine road, and all trails between Redearth Creek and Healy Creek, including Ball Pass Junction and Egypt Lake.
“A wolf has been displaying bold behaviour at backcountry campsites and seeking human food rewards,” according to that information bulletin.
On Tuesday evening, a wolf warning went up for the Banff townsite, Tunnel Mountain, Fairmont Banff Springs Golf Course, Minnewanka Loop, Cascade Ponds, and Johnson Lake.
“This is because a wolf has been displaying bold behaviour, approaching vehicles and seeking human food rewards,” said resource conservation officer Robin Baron in the information bulletin.
In recent days, there have been several reports posted on social media of wolf sightings inside the Banff townsite, including a woman who indicated a wolf walked right past her, only a few metres away, and another of a wolf on Banff Avenue at 7 a.m. on Monday (July 6).
In 2016, Parks Canada was forced to kill two female wolves in the Bow Valley pack after they got into human food and were boldly approaching people. One of those was the former alpha female.
The current breeding female of the pack, who was young when her mother was killed, is the only surviving member of that former pack. The alpha male of the existing pack was hit and killed on the Trans-Canada Highway in May.
The pack did have pups this spring.
Parks Canada provides the following advice to safely coexist with wildlife in the national park:
• Never approach, entice or feed wildlife.
• 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.
• If you are approached by a wolf, act aggressively to discourage it from approaching.
• Carry bear spray and know how to use it.
• Report all wolf sightings immediately to Banff dispatch at 403-762-1470.
