Last fall a bull elk was shot with a crossbow and left for dead east of the Jasper townsite. It was hit low in its chest cavity, puncturing its lung and causing it to die over a period of time.
The elk’s body, including its rack, was found Sept. 5, 2014 just off of Highway 16, in the area of the Palisades. It is believed to have been killed between Sept. 3 and 5.
Despite Parks Canada’s efforts, the shooter was never found and charges have never been laid.
Hunting is strictly prohibited in the park and carries with it hefty fines, as well as jail time. The maximum penalty for killing an elk is $750,000 and five years in prison.
To bring the incident back into the public consciousness and possibly jog the memory of a passerby, Parks has joined forces with Crime Stoppers. Together, the organizations have created a reenactment of the incident that will appear on Global Television in the coming months.
“What people are going to see is the basic information that we know,” said Park Warden Joe Storms. “We don’t have specific details of what exactly went on, but do have some information on what occurred,” he said, noting that Parks knows where the elk was shot, a rough timeline of when it was shot and the location of the incident.
“The whole concept was that we have this unsolved case of attempted elk poaching; it’s unsolved and we want to get it back into the public’s interest.
“We don’t have any new leads or anything like that, but someone out there knows something and we wanted to spark the public’s memory.”
The reenactment was filmed June 25, with Jasperite Don Pilger playing the role of the skulking poacher. Sporting a camouflage get-up, complete with a khaki bucket hat, Pilger is filmed moving through tall grass, before getting into position to release an arrow from his crossbow.
A few days after filming, Pilger was beaming as he talked about the experience, noting that he nailed each scene on the first take.
Storms said Crime Stoppers reenactments are powerful tools that can help investigations.
This is the second time that Parks has partnered with the organization. The first was a few years ago when two fire trailers were stolen from the Parks compound.
As well as filming the reenactment, Crime Stoppers also took the opportunity to film a few “teachable moments” about national parks. Those moments will also air on Global, beginning later this summer.
“There was about six things that we covered,” said Storms, straining to remember them all. “One was speeding in our wildlife zones, another one was feeding wildlife, [then] garbage, antler collecting and boozing and boating—so, consuming alcohol while boating, for example in the Miette River or the Athabasca.”
Since national parks have different laws than the rest of the country, Storms said these clips are a good way to ensure the public is aware of those differences.
“National parks are pretty unique areas, they’re protected lands, so because of that we have laws that are unique in the country. For example, you can’t hunt in a national park. You can hunt in most areas of the rest of the country, but not in Jasper National Park.
“So having an opportunity to partner up with Crime Stoppers was a pretty good opportunity.”
Storms said he doesn't know the exact date when the reenactment will air, but expected it would begin circulation this summer.
Hunting and poaching aren’t common events in the park, but both crimes have taken place in the past—whether it’s outright poaching, hunting for sport or the collection of antlers, claws or bones.
Prior to the 2014 incident, the most recent was in 2011 when a person was charged with the collection of elk antlers shed by a bull. The fine was $1,000.
Shed animal parts, as well as bones, are also protected under the Canadian National Parks Act, as they provide an important source of minerals for small animals and are a natural part of the environment.
Fines for poaching an elk within a national park increased in 2010, as part of an amendment to the act.
In the case of a first offence, the minimum fine for poaching an elk is $4,500 and/or imprisonment for up to six months. For a second or subsequent offence, the minimum fine is $9,000 and/or imprisonment for up to six months.
If you were in the area of the Palisades picnic site or Snaring Road between Wednesday, Sept. 3, 2014 and Friday, Sept. 5, 2014, and noticed suspicious vehicles or people in the area, Parks encourages you to contact the warden service: 1-877-852-3100.
If you wish to remain anonymous, you can also contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
Nicole Veerman
[email protected]
