Bow Valley Wolf Pack May be in Trouble

A new article has been published about the Bow Valley Wolf Pack becoming conditioned to humans and food/trash left behind. Read the article here: Things are looking bleak for the Bow Valley Wolf Pack in Banff National Park

Here are some tips about safely (for them and for us) coexisting with our wildlife (Please share!):



At Your Home:

• Do not feed wolves and other wildlife
• Since garbage can attract wolves and other wildlife, keep garbage in a secure location
• Do not leave any food outside, including scraps, pet food, or livestock feed. When possible, feed animals inside.
• Keep dogs under supervision. Wolves can be highly territorial toward other canids
• Do not leave pets outside unattended, especially at night
• Take steps to avoid rodent infestations as they can attract predators
• Avoid ornamental fruit trees or pick up fruit immediately if any has fallen - fruit may attract predators to your yard
• Avoid having bird feeders in your yard as these may also be predator attractants

While Camping, Hiking, Outdoors:

• Never feed, approach, or allow wolves to come near, or they may lose their fear of people.
• Do not bury garbage. If you pack it in – pack it out!
• Keep a clean and orderly camp. Cook and store food away from sleeping areas. Suspend food, toiletries, garbage and other loose objects on a rope between trees, or in secured kayak hatches, out of reach of wildlife. Wolves have been reported removing personal and other non-food items from campsites.
• Stay away from fresh wolf kills or other carcasses you may across, as well as avoid dens, and rendezvous sites.
• Wash dishes in a container and dispose of grey water.
• Near the coast use areas below high tide mark, away from camp, in an area of high tidal exchange for toilets – do not use the upland areas, wolves will feed on human excrement.
• Keep dogs on leash to avoid encounters. If you encounter a wolf, make the dog heel next to you immediately. Standing between the dog and the wolf often ends the encounter, but never try to break up a fight between a wolf and a dog.
  

In Your Community:

• Remind your neighbors to never feed wolves and other wildlife.
• Promote the reduction of potential wildlife food sources in and around your community.
• Notify authorities about wolves or other wildlife that seem comfortable around people, seek human food, or frequent human areas. Early intervention can keep a problem from getting worse.