A campground in Banff National Park remains closed as the investigation into a wolf attack continues.
Parks Canada is awaiting results of DNA tests to confirm that a wolf euthanized after the attack was the one involved. As a preventive measure, the Rampart Creek campground on the Icefields Parkway will be closed until the investigation is completed, which could take one day to a week, said Parks Canada spokesman Gregg Walker.
“We need to make sure that the wolf that was destroyed up there very shortly after the incident is, in fact, the wolf that is involved with the incident,” said Walker.
The camper was in a tent with his family of four at the packed campground when he was attacked by a wolf, sustaining injuries to his hand and arm. Campers from neighbouring campsites stepped in to help the victim scare away the large animal immediately after the attack.
The man was taken to hospital with serious injuries, according to Walker.
A wolf was found one kilometre from the site when it was euthanized. Genetic samples were taken from the scene of the incident, such as wolf hair in the tent. The DNA found at the scene will be compared to that of the wolf to confirm the organization’s suspicions.
“They’ll try to cross-match the two at a wildlife genetics lab,” said Walker.
Once it’s determined if the correct wolf was euthanized, Parks Canada will also look into the condition of the animal. The dead wolf will be tested for disease, age and other information that could inform them of what led it to attack.
Walker considers this type of attack extremely rare, saying human-wolf encounters aren’t common anywhere in Canada. No wildlife attractants were found in the surrounding area, which was a part of the investigation.
“There’s been more investigation through the weekend but there were no wildlife attractants on that campsite in the tent or anywhere nearby. There also were no wildlife attractants or contact with wolves in that area in Banff National Park, at least, in recent history,” said Walker. “There was no indication of any problem up there and there were no ongoing problems with wildlife attractants there.”
Parks Canada’s priority will always be human safety but that’s balanced with a pledge to conserve wildlife, according to Walker.
“Our main program for many years has been around trying to encourage, promote, educate and build compliance around safe ways of acting in the parks and around wildlife,” said Walker.
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