Another problem wolf sought at campgrounds around Banff - Action News
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Another problem wolf sought at campgrounds around Banff

Park wardens are searching for another wolf from the Bow Valley pack after it ventured into the Two Jack Main and Tunnel Mountain campgrounds over the weekend.

Uncollared wolf seen at Two Jack Main and Tunnel Mountain campgrounds

Wolves from the Bow Valley pack are seen using a highway underpass in Alberta in April in this handout photo taken by a remote camera. One is wearing a tracking collar. (Parks Canada/Canadian Press)

Park wardens are searching for another wolf from the Bow Valley pack after it ventured into the Two Jack Main and Tunnel Mountain campgrounds over the weekend.

An uncollared wolf searching for food was chased away from the Two Jack Main campground by Parks Canada staffers twice on Sunday night but the animal remained in the area. Then on Monday, an uncollared wolf believed to be the same one was spotted at the Tunnel Mountain campground, again looking for food.

Wildlife management staff said they don't know the sex of the wolf and were continuing to search for it on Tuesday and deciding on "next steps."

Officials are hopeful they won't have to killmore members of the pack, said Greg Danchuk,manager of visitor experience forBanffNational Park.

"We'll continue to monitor them very closely and if anything comes about they'll be adversely conditioned," he said.

"They're very wary of people at this point and hopefully that continues ... people still need to be diligent about how they keep their campsites clean."

Two other adult members of the Bow Valley pack, the alpha male and a dark-coloured yearling male are both collared and have not been involved.

Two wolves killed

Parks employeeshave been forced to kill two members of the pack, one in June after a wolf made off with a loaf of bread from a closed coolerand again earlier this month when a female entered campsites several times.

Tent camping was also banned briefly at the two campgrounds and around 200 campers had to be relocated due to the second wolf's bold behaviour.

Parks Canada staff areagain reminding visitors to keep campsites clean and food and garbage secure at all times. Failing to do that could result in a $25,000 fine and a mandatory court appearance.

Any wolf sighting should be reported immediately along with signs of illegal camping or food being left unattended by calling the 24-hour Banff dispatch centre at 403-762-1470.