Two areas in Banff National Park are closed to the public to protect denning wolves.
The closures at Hillsdale Split on Bow Valley Parkway and on the Fairholme Bench south of Johnson Lake went into effect April 15 and will remain in effect until July 15. Anyone caught violating the closures could face a fine of up to $25,000.
“Wildlife activity in these areas cannot be disturbed by human presence,” said Mike Grande, a wildlife conservation specialist in Banff National Park. “At some point, the wolves can abandon a den if there is disturbance.”
The Hillsdale closure aims to protect the Bow Valley wolf pack, whose numbers are thought to be around five.
The Fairholme pack dens on the Fairholme benchlands. The closure there applies to the bench south of Johnson Lake and northeast of the Trans-Canada Highway.
Grande said wolves typically den anywhere between March and May on average, though denning can occur into June.
“Within the first couple of weeks the pups don’t have eyes open, they can’t hear,” he said. “We want to give them as much of a chance of success as possible. For a wolf pack to up and move a den site would really bring into question the likelihood of the pups surviving.”
Parks Canada asks that any sightings of wolves be reported to Banff National Park dispatch at 403-762-1470.
“We want people to respect the closure and know there are fines associated with contraventions of this,” said Grande.