The Calgary Herald reported that the young wolf was involved in several incidents, including getting into camp garbage and tearing open a bag of firewood. It is similar to the case of the wolf’s mother, who also began looking to campgrounds and human-areas for food after being given the opportunity to feast.
“In the past month, wardens with Banff National Park have charged at least 20 campers with leaving their sites in unsatisfactory condition, which included leaving out food or garbage as a wildlife attractant,” the Herald wrote.
Wednesday night at approximately 8 pm, the young female wolf was killed.
Parks Canada has reported on various attempts to mitigate the rising conflicts, including changing the route of a popular marathon, putting more effort into enforcing campground policy infractions, and outright closing some campsites. But, sadly, it hasn’t been enough.
While visitors to Banff National Park increased a whopping 19.8 per cent from 2014 to 2015, there has been no increase to Parks Canada staff – and nearly $30,000,000 in cuts to the federal department’s budget in recent years.
Lives are at stake – it is time for immediate action. Parks Canada must be granted funding to put additional enforcement and educational officers on the ground in hot spot areas like Banff National Park, as well as ongoing funding for research and prevention strategies.
TAKE ACTION
Write to Minister of Environment Catherine McKenna (Catherine.McKenna@parl.gc.ca) and tell her to implement immediate funding to Parks Canada to prevent further needless killings of wildlife and conflict in our national parks. You can also copy your local MP, regardless of party, to get support (find your MP by clicking here).
WRITING TIPS
Stay on point:this issue is about the need for funding to Parks Canada to prevent future killings of animals due to conflict. Keep your comments directed to the facts and provide citations if necessary.
Stay polite and use spell check:if you’re rude, aggressive, misspell words, or use incorrect grammar, readers may become disengaged or dismissive of your points.
Provide solutions:rather than just say what’s wrong, say what’s right. Offer solutions or alternatives to help move forward conversations – we’re recommending pointing to successful strategies that Parks Canada has employed – but require more funding and manpower to succeed in the long-term.
Identify yourself:it’s important to include your address when writing politicians so they know who you are, where you’re from, and that your vote will affect them in the next election.
Let us know what you hear:if you receive a message back from your representative, or they would like to discuss the issues in greater detail with us, please let us know by emailing info@thefurbearers.com.
Photo of a female wolf in Banff National Park by Kerri Martin Photography.
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