Two Parks Canada employees were hit with hefty court fines for swimming in the home of Banff’s endangered snail.
Stephan A. Titcomb, an employee of the Upper Hot Springs, and Parks Canada employee Kirsten E. Hughes pleaded guilty in Canmore Provincial Court on Nov. 19, 2014, to unlawfully entering the thermal spring inside the cave at the Cave and Basin National Historic Site.
The harsh climate of the thermal springs in Banff National Park, including the Cave, is the only place in the world this unique snail (physella johnsoni) calls home. Both Titcomb and Hughes were fined $1,500 each.
Court heard they were both Parks Canada employees, and had been fired as a result of their illegal dip. The court heard, however, that both were appealing the termination.
Parks Canada refused an interview request, but provided a written statement.
“Human resources matters are confidential,” wrote Parks Canada spokesman Mark Merchant. “Parks Canada does not comment on human resources matters.”
In the emailed statement, Merchant said the two individuals were suspected of having bathed, on May 19, 2013, in the thermal pool in the cave at the Cave and Basin National Historic Site.
“Following an investigation by Parks Canada wardens, the two suspects were subsequently charged under the National Parks General Regulations,” he wrote.
“While charges under the Species At Risk Act were considered, there was insufficient evidence to support charges under that Act.”
Earlier this month, in Canmore Provincial Court, another man who swam in the Cave was fined $4,500.
Bailey Thomas Townsend, 27, pleaded guilty to entering a restricted area under the Canada National Parks Act and damaging critical habitat under the Species At Risk Act.
At approximately 2 p.m. on Nov. 26, Parks Canada employees reported that a male was bathing in the thermal pool in the cave.
Park wardens responded and arrested the suspect. He smelled of alcohol and was smoking a cigar. The microbial mat, where the tiny lemon seed-sized snails feed and lay their eggs, was disturbed and damaged.
“Since the Species At Risk Act came into effect in 2002, the Nov. 26, 2014 incident is the first time Parks Canada has charged under the Act,” wrote Merchant.
Prior to the May 2013 incident, Parks Canada had not laid charges under the National Parks General Regulations for people unlawfully entering the Cave and Basin National Historic Site since 1999.
At the time, eight individuals were charged, found guilty and each fined $1,000.
The Banff Springs snail was upgraded from threatened to endangered in 2000 under the Species At Risk Act because of its extremely limited distribution, the many threats to its habitat and significant fluctuations in its population numbers.
The population seesaws dramatically, with the numbers at their lowest from March to June. This makes the snail especially vulnerable at the beginning of the main tourist season, when human activities pose the greatest threat.
Any factor that affects the thermal spring ecology could harm this species. By bathing or dipping their hands in the water, people may unintentionally disturb or kill snails, as well as their eggs.
Even minor movements in the water can upset the floating microbial mats on which the snails feed and lay their eggs. Chemicals such as insect repellants and deodorants on people’s skin can also harm the snails and their habitat, as can changes in water levels.
Natural threats to the snail may include competition from soldier fly larvae and predation by waterfowl, thrushes, garter snakes and robins, as well as the drying up of thermal springs resulting from global climate change and drought.
Merchant said Parks Canada conducts research and monitoring of the snail, has increased security measures and continues to educate the public to ensure the Banff Springs snail is protected.
“As a world leader in conservation, Parks Canada takes its role of protecting endangered animals in the national parks seriously, and is proud to fulfill its legal obligation to protect species at risk in national parks,” stated Merchant in the statement.
