Wolf fearlessly approaching visitors in Kananaskis may be food-conditioned

Any sightings of this wolf or other habituated wildlife should be reported to Kananaskis Emergency Services at 403-591-7755.

KANANASKIS – Provincial wildlife officials are keeping close tabs on a wolf that has likely been fed or accessed human food.

Officials say there have been reports of increased encounters with a lone grey wolf in recent months.

“The wolf appears to be habituated and does not avoid people as wild wolves typically do,” said Neil Singh, press secretary to Alberta Parks Minister Todd Loewen in an email.

“It has been observed numerous times in campgrounds and along roadways.”

Singh said conservation officers and Alberta Parks staff are monitoring the situation.

“[They] have been using aversive conditioning methods when possible, to discourage the wolf from approaching people,” he said.

“We will continue to monitor the situation closely and follow the appropriate human-wildlife coexistence protocols in our response.”

A request for an interview was not granted. Additional questions for more details, including whether there is talk of capturing and destroying the wolf, had not been answered, but the Outlook will update the story if possible. 

Nick de Ruyter, program director for Bow Valley WildSmart, said it sounds like the wolf is likely food-conditioned, which can lead to bolder and more aggressive behaviour.

“If wildlife get too close to people for a long period of time, typically they’re the ones that end up paying the price,” he said.

“For the long-term survival and safety of the wildlife, we really just need to do our best to not let them access any kind of food or feed them.”

Food-conditioned or habituated wildlife often end up getting relocated or killed for public safety reasons, said de Ruyter.

“Once they learn that behaviour and they learn to associate food or people as a food source, it’s very, very difficult, near impossible to unlearn that behaviour,” he said.

The province asked that any sightings of this wolf or other habituated wildlife be reported to Kananaskis Emergency Services at 403-591-7755.