Parks Canada says it was forced to euthanize young wolf spotted near Banff

Parks Canada says the recent behaviour of a young, emaciated male wolf left them no choice but to euthanize it this week.

The wolf was first reported to wildlife officials three weeks ago after a sighting on Sunshine Road, nearBanff'sSunshine Villageski resort.

Wildlife officials spotted the wolf again on July 6, apparently seeking human food and garbage, enteringa storage building and approaching people.

"Given this behaviour, thewolfpresented a risk to public safety. So Parks Canada team members captured and collared thewolfto assess its body condition and monitor its behaviour," said Justin Brisbane, a spokesperson with Parks Canada,in a release.

But the wolf's "excessive level" of habituation and conditioning to human food led officials to determine that it was not possible to rehabilitate the animal.

"[Parks Canada] therefore humanely euthanized thewolfto ensure public safety.This action was taken after carefully considering all other options for keeping this animal on the landscape," Brisbane said.

"This was a very difficult decision for Parks Canadateam members, who work hard to protect these animals and the ecosystems they live in."

On July 8,Parks Canada warnedvisitors to steer clear of a bold wolf that hadapproachedbackcountry campsites and sought human food rewards.

• Hungry like the wolf: Banff warns of bold wolf in search of human goodies

Brisbane said Parks Canada's wildlife team was still trying to determine if that wolf was the one that was euthanized on July 7.

In the Banff area, wolves have beenstruck and killed by motorists.

Another Banff wolfattacked a family of four from the United Statesin 2019, and wildlife officers killed a wolfin 2016 after extremely bold behaviour.