Parks Canada has upped the amount of staff patrolling campsites in Banff National Park in light of recent wildlife issues involving food-conditioned wolves being shot and killed due to concerns about visitor safety.
Parks Canada has upped the amount of staff patrolling campsites in Banff National Park in light of recent wildlife issues involving food-conditioned wolves being shot and killed due to concerns about visitor safety.
In addition to regular staff, there are seven to eight extra members patrolling sites and day use areas at Tunnel Mountain, Two Jack Lake, and Johnston Canyon and Castle Mountain campgrounds.
Patrol members try to speak to almost everyone about the wolves and other wildlife, and the importance of keeping areas clean of food and garbage, said Greg Danchuk, Parks Canada visitor experience manager.
“We give people a lot of information at the campground,” said Danchuk. “(The visitors) get some information in advance, although it is minimal, but some. When they check-in at the campsite they get information, and different information about wolves and to keep a clean site and how you do that.”
This year, two food-conditioned Bow Valley wolf pack members were shot and killed by Parks wildlife managers due to visitor safety issues.
In many incidents, the bold wolves approached campers and campsites searching for a food reward.
Due to this, all tent sites were removed from the Two Jack campgrounds earlier this month, where a yearling female - one of the two wolves destroyed - had repeatedly been searching for food rewards.
A wolf warning in Banff National Park remains in effect because of the assertive wolf behaviour, although there are currently no area closures.
There have been 17 charges against campers since July 1, specifically for wildlife attractant problems that include campers leaving garbage and food out.
There is a mandatory court appearance and fines can range up to $25,000.
Danchuk said because of the circumstances this year, there is not a “friendly reminder” given to visitors to keep sites clean.
“We’ ve pushed it up a level,” said Danchuk. “First there is a formal warning given and then action after that. If we have to go back (after the formal warning), the campsite can be charged.”
On Wednesday (Aug. 10), an un-collared grey wolf was observed at Castle Mountain campground.
The wolf entered the campsite searching for food and picked up a cardboard box containing a non-food item.
That night at Tunnel Mountain, the adult alpha male from the Bow Valley wolf pack was hazed out of the area, but there wasn’ t evidence of food rewards.
Danchuk said the alpha male is “not displaying any of the same behaviours as the others” that became food-conditioned.
On Thursday (Aug. 11), an un-collared grey wolf was seen and followed travelling past Vermilion Lakes and into the Banff townsite, heading toward the Tunnel Mountain area.
Danchuk said there are other wolf packs living in Banff National Park, such as the Fairholme wolf pack, that have remained healthy in the park.
“They have continued to be more natural in their wariness of people,” said Danchuk, adding the pack's distance away from townsites and people have helped with its survival.
Parks would like to remind visitors should they encounter a wolf to make noise, gather together, and use techniques to haze them away such as throwing rocks, yelling, or using their bear spray.
