Another Banff wolf killed after becoming habituated to human food

Parks Canada officials also shot a wolf in June after it repeatedly approached campsites 

 

By Robson Fletcher, CBC News Posted: Aug 04, 2016 

 

Two adult wolves have now been deliberately killed this summer in Banff after exhibiting bold behaviour around humans. Four pups were also killed by trains. (Dawn Villella/Associated Press)

Parks Canada officials have killed a wolf that was repeatedly exhibiting bold behaviour around human beings after becoming habituated to food left out at Banff campgrounds in violation of national park rules.

"This wolf did not respond to aversive conditioning and continued to return to campsites after being repeatedly hazed," Parks Canada said in a release.
"This action was taken after serious consideration. This was a very difficult decision for Parks Canada staff, who work so hard to protect these animals, but in the end, it was a necessary action to ensure the visitor safety."
The wolf was killed on Wednesday.

Its bold behaviour between July 29 and Aug. 1 prompted Parks Canada to ban tent camping at the Two Jack Main and Lakeside campgrounds.
The animal had received "multiple unnatural food rewards" and was repeatedly observed sniffing around campsites with little fear of human beings.
"Parks Canada has worked hard to try to prevent this situation, from collaring wolves to monitor their behaviour, significant communications with the public, and increased compliance and enforcement efforts," the agency said in a release.

"Despite these efforts, wolves are still receiving food rewards in campgrounds and sites were still being left in unsatisfactory condition by visitors."
Banff National Park wardens issued 20 charges over the past month — including eight in the past week — against people who kept unsatisfactory campsites, an offence which includes leaving out food or garbage that can act as a wildlife attractant.
This charge orders a mandatory court appearance and the maximum fine can reach $25,000.

2 adult wolves killed deliberately, 4 pups killed by trains

This latest wolf death brings the number of wolves killed in Banff this summer to six.
Three wolf pups were struck and killed by a freight train in the park on July 4.
Two weeks earlier, on June 18, another wolf pup was struck and killed by a train.
That pup, believed to be about eight to 10 weeks old, had been born to a pack that also recently suffered the loss of its alpha female on June 7, which had also been exhibiting bold behaviour.
Parks Canada officials shot that adult wolf dead earlier in June, after the pack repeatedly approached campsites, at one point stealing a loaf of bread from a closed cooler.

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