The Bow Valley wolf pack has so far kept away from humans since the shooting death of the bold alpha female last week.
The Bow Valley wolf pack has so far kept away from humans since the shooting death of the bold alpha female last week.
Parks Canada officials said the wolves are now under a “24/7” watch and if need be, Parks will apply “aversive conditioning” measures against the pack should they wander too closely to human use areas, such as a campground.
Parks is able to keep tabs on the wolves - an adult male, three yearling and at least two young of year pups by detecting a signal on fitted collars. Two males were previously collared and then last week (June 9) one yearling female was darted and collared.
“If (officials) can detect a collar signal, they would rush in and try to locate the wolf and haze it by screaming and yelling at it,” said Bill Hunt, Parks Canada resource conservation manager.
“Or they would use paintball guns that shoot chalk balls ...it's no worse than being hit with a paintball and provides physical stimulate to stay away.”
Besides one incident where members of the pack get too close to the Johnston Canyon campground on Sunday (June 12), the wolves have stayed away, said Hunt.
The wolves were becoming habituated and food conditioned, led by the “extremely bold” mother teaching the young to enter busy human use areas and approach people for food rewards.
Ultimately, Parks made the decision to kill the adult female on June 7 in hopes to improve rehabilitation chances with the young wolves.
It's thought that there are at least two young of year pups and Hunt reported they're “healthy and doing fine.”
“The adult male was with them and one other yearling,” said Hunt.
Hunt previously said the adult male has shown good behaviour and the hope is he would teach the yearling and young of year pups how to hunt local prey like elk and deer.
All but one member of the “adult” group has been collared and Hunt said if they are able to dart and collar the wolf, they will, but priorities have “switched gears.”
Parks will now look towards three steps that are all directed at humans in the national park from preventing additional food rewards.
An increased patrol to clampdown on illegal camping in front country areas is in place by park officials. It has recently resulted in charged laid to two people illegally camping at Vermilion Lakes near the Banff townsite.
Hunt said there is also a reminder to people to not feed any wildlife and physical signs have been posted in popular areas around the park. Feeding wildlife in the national park can result in a maximum fine of $25,000.
Parks Canada will also focus on a no littering message to residents and visitors of the park.
“We're finding a lot of roadside litter has been chewed up or investigated (by the wolves),” said Hunt.
The Bow Valley of Banff National Park is still under a wolf warning, which includes campground areas.
Parks Canada is asking all park users to obey the camping regulations, and to keep food and garbage secure at all times.
Parks advises that if you have a wolf encounter to be loud, act aggressively and discourage it approaching you. Keep an eye on pets and small children and carry bear spray and know how to use it.
Please report all wolf, bear and cougar sightings, as well as any signs of illegal camping activity to the 24/7 Banff Dispatch at 403-762-1470.
