Wolf pup killed by a train in Banff National Park

A wolf pup was hit and killed by a train last weekend in Banff National Park.

Parks Canada says it was notified on June 18by the crew of a CP freight train that a wolf had been struck in Hillsdale Meadow,near the area where aBow Valley pack has its den.

The pup was born early this spring and was around eight to 10 weeks old, said Banff resource conservation manager Bill Hunt.

It wasborn to the pack's alpha femalethat was euthanized on June 7after snatching food from acampground atTunnel Mountain, despite efforts to chase it away.

Hunt says there are other pups in the den.

Up to 4 pups in den

"We've seen two for sure. And we've had reports from other visitors that have reported up to four," he said.

Hunt says the pack now seems to be responding well to techniques meant to keep the wolves away from humans.

"Through the aversive conditioning program that we've had in place, things have been going quite well and we've not had any aggressive or sort of bold behaviours occur since that time," he said.

Hunt says mortality ratesare typically 40 to 60 per cent for youngpups, so this deathis not uncommon.

• MORE ANIMAL NEWS |Baaah'd to the bone goats start new job for City of Calgary
• MORE CALGARY NEWS |Calgary man escapes abduction at gunpoint by making noise