Habituated Coyote Destroyed

Sadly, Parks Canada staff was forced to destroy a coyote last Wednesday after it brazenly walked into Centennial Park at noon, wandered past the playground, then lay down in the middle of the soccer field. The coyote had been seen within town limits on multiple occasions over the previous three weeks prompting an aggressive hazing effort by Parks Canada staff. Unfortunately, the animal kept returning and began to show a willingness to approach people. This level of habituation could not be tolerated because of the risk to children in the area.

The coyote was a young, adult female in good condition. She likely learned that she could earn a reasonable living searching the townsite for people food. Jasper residents are asked to please ensure that garbage is well secured and pets are not permitted to roam. Please report all sightings of coyotes within the town boundaries to 780-852-6155. Let’s keep these adaptable creatures eating small mammals, deer, birds, insects, berries, and carrion in the wild where they belong.  

Cavell Area and Caribou Habitat

The Cavell Meadows and Astoria Trail areas are important winter habitat for the Tonquin herd of woodland caribou, a species at risk. As part of caribou conservation actions in Jasper National Park, this area will be closed as of Nov. 1 until Feb. 15, 2012. 

Deep snow in this high elevation habitat usually offers protection for caribou from predators in winter. Packed trails can take away this advantage, leading predators into these otherwise inaccessible areas. The Cavell closure prevents human trails from increasing the risk of predation on the Tonquin herd. The area closure includes Cavell Road and Cavell Meadows, the Astoria River and Astoria Trail to its junction with the Eremite/Wates-Gibson Trail, Verdant Creek Trail and the Mount Edith Cavell climbing routes.

For more information on the Cavell closure or caribou conservation contact Parks Canada 780-852-6204.

Seasonal Roads and Winter Maintenance News

The following roads are now closed for the season: Moab Lake Road, Celestine Lake Road, Cavell Road and Geraldine Lookout. Highway 93A – Meeting of the Waters to Athabasca Falls will likely close within the next two weeks. Lake Annette Road, Pyramid Beach access, Old Fort Point to Lac Beauvert, and Toe of the Glacier Road are still open. Opening/closing dates for all seasonal roads are dependent on weather and road conditions.

Parks Canada road crews have resumed their winter schedule and are operating seven days a week. A dayshift and nightshift schedule will begin in November. Road crews will be on local highways between 6 a.m. and 2:20 a.m. The afternoon shift will be busy maintaining Highway 16, and maintenance on side roads and the Icefields Parkway (Highway 93) will only occur between 7 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.

For further information on roads outside the mountain parks, call the AMA at 1-877-262-4997. For BC road information, call Drive BC at 1-800-550-4997 or visit www.drivebc.ca

Friends Win Ambassador Award

The Friends of Jasper National Park have added another award to their impressive array, the Outstanding Jasper Ambassador Program Support Award. The Friends were honoured with this recognition last week by the Jasper Chamber of Commerce at their inaugural Jasper Ambassadors ceremony. The Friends received the award specifically for their Walk in the Past interpretive program, a free, guided event that introduces visitors to the town of Jasper’s historic buildings and some of the colourful people associated with them. Visitors may also take the tour on their own by following a self-guided brochure available from the Friends’ sales outlet in the information centre. Visitors obviously enjoy the tour – it’s been running more than 25 years.