Wolf euthanized in Banff National Park after 'extremely bold' behaviour

Parks Canada officials have euthanized a wolf in Banff whose bold behaviour worried conservation experts, a week after posting a wolf warning for the Bow Valley after a pack entered an occupied campsite at Tunnel Mountain.

The pack ignored efforts to chase them away. One of the animals made off with a loaf of bread out of a closed cooler.

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That was not the first time the pack had accessed human food, according to resource conservation manager Bill Hunt.

"This wolf was extremely bold and was not fazed by the campers' efforts to scare it away," Parks Canada said of the wolf that was euthanized in a release.

"History has shown that food-conditioned carnivores present a clear risk to visitor safety. This wolf was involved in a number of incidents involving people and food."

The decision to kill the wolf was made after consultation with wildlife management experts, a review of scientific literature and careful consideration of other options, Parks Canada said.

Visitors to Banff are reminded to report wolf sightings, keep food and garbage secure, and never feed wildlife. 

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