An adult wolf has been found dead on the Trans-Canada Highway in Banff National Park – the third wolf to die at the hands of humans in the past two weeks.
The wolf was hit and killed about five kilometres east of the Alberta-B.C. border in Banff National Park last Friday, June 15. It was reported just before 7 a.m.
“Parks Canada takes the protection of our wildlife very seriously and we are greatly saddened by and regret the loss of this animal,” said Omar McDadi, a spokesman for Parks Canada.
“We ask visitors and residents to help wildlife survive by observing speed limits and to drive vigilantly, especially at dusk and dawn when many larger animals are out.”
Parks Canada was unable to determine the sex due to the injuries sustained by the animal as a result of the trauma.
A one-year-old female wolf was found dead in the ditch on June 9 close to the Sunshine interchange and a one-year-old male was struck in the early morning hours of June 11, about seven kilometres east of Castle Junction.
Both wolves were thought to be members of the Bow Valley Pack.
Meanwhile, a midsized male black bear was found dead on the Icefields Parkway near Bow Summit on the morning of Thursday (June 14).
While there is no concrete evidence to suggest this black bear had been fed, McDadi said there have been reports of bears being fed on the Icefields Parkway, as well as Highway 93 South in Kootenay National Park.
“We’re really encouraging visitors to appreciate the wildlife and bears as much as possible, but at the same time avoid approaching wildlife and certainly avoid feeding wildlife like bears,” he said. “A fed bear can be a dead bear.”
People are encouraged to report all suspicious behaviour – such as feeding wildlife – by calling 1-888-WARDENS.
“Visitors and residents are our eyes and ears in the mountain parks,” McDadi said.
