Banff residents are being reminded to keep their Jack-o-lanterns inside this Halloween to prevent attracting hungry wildlife into residential neighbourhoods.
Banff residents are being reminded to keep their Jack-o-lanterns inside this Halloween to prevent attracting hungry wildlife into residential neighbourhoods.
The Town of Banff does not have a specific bylaw regulating against keeping pumpkins outdoors, but Parks Canada officials urge people to display them in an inside window, noting there's been an issue with deer and elk eating them in previous years.
Blair Fyten, a human-wildlife conflict specialist with Banff National Park, said bears are still out and about and there have been a few recent sightings of wolves around town – and they don't want pumpkins drawing carnivores to town.
He said the plight of bear 148 – a famous female grizzly bear shot dead by a trophy hunter in B.C. after being relocated out of Canmore – has led to heightened awareness throughout the Bow Valley about keeping wildlife wild.
“If pumpkins are out, they could be an attractant, so we're asking people to display their pumpkins inside the house and not leave candies out on the steps. We're trying to keep wildlife wild and educate people on attractants,” said Fyten.
“People are a little bit more aware of attractants and a lot of that's to do with 148, because she hung around town and came into the town. It seems like a lot of people care and voice opinions and we hope the momentum keeps going.”
Several bears are still out, including bear 122, the dominant male of the Bow Valley. Another of the big males was seen on the edge of town on Oct. 17.
In addition, there have also been a few wolf sightings around the townsite over the last few weeks, including the alpha male of the former Bow Valley pack and his young female daughter, a two-and-a-half-year habituated wolf.
The alpha male, who spent much of summer in the south end of the Spray River valley with a pack of wolves there following the demise of his pack, has been seen at he Banff Springs golf course and by Vermilion Lakes.
“There's been a few wolf sightings in the last few weeks,” said Fyten.
After Halloween, pumpkins can be placed in compost bins provided by the Town of Banff.
