A wolf being fed rice crackers is the latest in an alarming string of incidents involving the feeding of wildlife in Kootenay National Park.
Parks Canada officials say they have photographic evidence of a wolf eating a rice cracker on the ground along Highway 93 South on July 9, a report that comes hot on the heels of reports of bears being fed earlier this spring.
They say the photo, taken by a tourist, did not pinpoint the location along the highway, nor did it capture the vehicle licence plate number of the person who fed the wolf.
“Feeding wildlife can lead to really bad outcomes; it can lead to habituation which causes wildlife to lose their wariness of humans and increase the risk of accidents,” said Parks Canada spokesman Omar McDadi.
“We strongly encourage people not to do that. It’s probably just a question of awareness, but we remind visitors that it’s unlawful to feed wildlife and it can have major ramifications.”
Feeding wildlife in national parks carries a maximum fine of $25,000 under the Canada National Parks Act.
Conservationists, who say they heard of truckers tossing sandwiches to wolves along that stretch of highway in Kootenay National Park last year, are alarmed.
“Habituating wildlife to human food is insane for public safety, and habituating wildlife to food along roadway is a death sentence to the animal,” said Jim Pissot, executive director of WildCanada Conservation Alliance.
Wild animals are less likely to be disturbed if people remain in their vehicles, and at least 100 metres from bears and at least 30 m from other large animals.
“We’ve had several reports of people feeding wildlife this spring and summer,” McDadi said.
Wildlife sightings or suspicious activity should be reported to 1-888-WARDENS.
