Editor: On Aug. 11 you published, on page 6, a most poignant photo taken by Tim Nokes of the members of the Bow Valley wolfpack on Highway 1A in early July.
It was a touching, heart-warming and beautiful wild animal photo – showing the whole family of wolves – mom, dad and five pups just strolling down the road. Within weeks, most of that precious little family were dead.
Much has been written about each death and yes, most of the local residents know about the perils of leaving food/garbage out where it attracts our wild animals which quickly become accustomed to it and then die as a result of their natural actions.
But how many of our visitors from near and far know the real consequences of their careless actions? Certainly we love, welcome and appreciate every single visitor and each vitally-needed staff person who comes to our part of the world. Thank you to them for coming.
But are we doing a good enough job of educating each one of those visitors about what happens as a result of their careless actions in the Parks and wilderness?
I know many avenues have been, and continue to be, tried and I commend Parks Canada and all others for their efforts, but … I have another very simple idea.
It is well-known that a picture is worth a thousand words, and so I am suggesting that thousands of coloured handouts and flyers be printed of this beautiful wolf family photo and beside each wolf who has died slash the word dead.
A copy of that photo should be handed out to every single visitor who comes through the park gates – including (and perhaps especially) every single person who arrives on tour buses as many of those lovely folks come from foreign places and perhaps do not fully understand the dire consequences of their behaviours (such as getting out of vehicles to take photos and enticing wildlife with foods on campground tables).
Posters should be placed everywhere – including washrooms, information centres, campgrounds, motels/hotels, etc.
It is my hope that you will publish that powerful photo once again – perhaps the original and then beside it an edited version with the ‘dead’ tags. I doubt there will be many dry eyes among your readers, and hopefully the message will reach every person visiting and working in our parks.
Marion Rogers,
Canmore and Harvie Heights
