logo
  • Explore
    • Local Events
    • Local News
    • Local Organisations
  • News
    • Community
    • Local Government
    • Sports
    • Alberta Politics
    • Opinion
    • Deke
  • Peaks & Valleys
    • Wildlife
    • Snow Sports
    • Hiking and Climbing
    • Biking
    • Fishing
  • Culture
    • Jasper Arts & Culture
    • Local Dining
    • Local Literature
  • Jasper History
    • Explore
      • Local Events
      • Local News
      • Local Organisations
    • News
      • Community
      • Local Government
      • Sports
      • Alberta Politics
      • Opinion
      • Deke
    • Peaks & Valleys
      • Wildlife
      • Snow Sports
      • Hiking and Climbing
      • Biking
      • Fishing
    • Culture
      • Jasper Arts & Culture
      • Local Dining
      • Local Literature
    • Jasper History
Bear destroyed after dog mauling incident
A leash left on a sign at the Wabasso Lake trailhead serves as a reminder of the hazards of not keeping pets under control in bear country. // Bob Covey
Community, Environment, Generic, News
By Bob Covey
Monday, April 24, 2023
Bear destroyed after dog mauling incident

Jasper National Park wildlife officials have destroyed a black bear after the animal attacked and killed a visitor’s dog.

The animal demonstrated predatory behaviour and showed little regard for being in close proximity to humans, Parks Canada officials said—factors which led to the decision to euthanize.

The Wabasso Lake Trail was the scene of a human/wildlife conflict incident which resulted in a visitor’s dog, and a Jasper National Park bear, were killed. UPDATE April 25: The trail is now open. // Bob Covey

“It’s the last decision we want to have to make,” Jasper National Park’s resource conservation manager, Dave Argument, said on April 24.

According to Parks Canada on Saturday, April 22,  two visitors were walking their two dogs on the Wabasso Lake Trail when they were approached at close range from behind by a male black bear.

The dogs were not leashed. Officials learned from the hikers, who reported the incident, that one of their pets responded aggressively to the bear, pushing it up a tree.

“One of the dogs engaged it, ran towards it, barking,” Argument said.

But the bear came back down the tree. It attacked one of the dogs. The hikers deployed bear spray in an effort to deter the bear but could not save their pet.

“The bear left the scene with the dog it had killed in its mouth,” Argument said.


Advertisement inquires: andrea@ravencommunitymedia.com

The hikers, who were returning from their hike to Wabasso Lake, retreated to the parking lot, which was approximately 750 metres away. From the trailhead they called Jasper National Park dispatchers, who sent out human/wildlife conflict and coexistence staff. Attending officials searched for, but did not locate, the bear and the dog.




The following day (Sunday, April 23), officials did locate the bear, and the dog’s remains, close to the scene of the incident.

“Our condolences go out to the pet owners involved in this incident. This is a sad reminder that all pets should be kept under control and on-leash at all times within a national park,” Jasper National Park said in a statement.

Because of the predatory actions of the bear, the food reward and the fact it was not dissuaded by human interaction (the hikers not only discharged bear spray at the animal, but “punched it” with the can, according to the report), officials made the difficult decision to destroy the bear.

The Wabasso Lake Trail remains closed as of Monday, April 24. // Bob Covey

“Given the behaviour it had exhibited, the high level of habituation…a decision was made at that time to destroy the bear.”

Typically, if a bear is surprised by humans or acting defensive, Parks Canada prefers to employ other techniques to mitigate further conflicts—hazing or removing attractants, for example.

“Where this encounter differed was in that this bear approached these people in very close quarters,” Argument said. “Because the bear was taking the first step…that behaviour in itself is concerning enough.”

The bear weighed 204 pounds and was not previously known to wildlife officials. Pending a necropsy, the bear appeared healthy and was likely just recently out of hibernation, Argument said.

Parks Canada is reminding the public that bear season is upon us and that all pets should be kept under control and on-leash at all times within a national park.

“If you feel the need to take your dog into places like this, make sure you keep your dog under physical control at all times,” Argument said.

As of Tuesday, April 25, all trail closures from this incident have been lifted.

When asked whether the hikers would be charged under the National Parks Act, Parks Canada said the situation is currently under investigation.


Bob Covey // bob@thejasperlocal.com

Articles You May LIke ›
Adios, amigo!
Wildlife
Adios, amigo!
Bob Covey 
Wednesday, May 24, 2023
Grazing happily on the greened-up lawn at a local cabin resort last week, a five-year old grizzly bear was blissfully unaware—or at least unfazed—by t...
this is a test
Here’s looking at you: Wildlife peeking, warnings peaking
News
Here’s looking at you: Wildlife peeking, warnings peaking
In Jasper, grizzly bears are out and wildlife warnings are up
Bob Covey 
Friday, May 12, 2023
As grizzly bears are peeking, visitors' excitement for a wildlife encounter is peaking. But so are wildlife warnings in Jasper National Park.  It's sp...
this is a test
From dusk til dawn: Low light, high chance of wildlife encounters
Peaks & Valleys
From dusk til dawn: Low light, high chance of wildlife encounters
Bob Covey 
Tuesday, May 9, 2023
All over Jasper National Park, bears are waking up…and they’re hungry. Wildlife photographer Simone Heinrich spotted this black bear—her first such si...
this is a test
Most Read ›
Fully funded bridge proposal rebuffed by Jasper’s superintendent
News
Fully funded bridge proposal rebuffed by Jasper’s superintendent
Bob Covey 
Friday, May 5, 2023
Jasper National Park Superintendent Alan Fehr has declined a private offer to rebuild a washed-out bridge at Simon Creek, a structure which would allo...
this is a test
NDP’s Kreiner withdraws from all-candidates forum
Local Government
NDP’s Kreiner withdraws from all-candidates forum
Bob Covey 
Monday, May 15, 2023
West Yellowhead’s NDP candidate Fred Kreiner has elected not to participate in Jasper’s scheduled all-candidates forum. “I’ve decided and the NDP part...
this is a test
Helicopter sustains “incredible” damage after accident on Columbia Icefields
Community
Helicopter sustains “incredible” damage after accident on Columbia Icefields
Bob Covey 
Monday, April 24, 2023
A helicopter transporting Natural Resources Canada glacier surveyors had a hard landing on an icefield in Banff National Park April 14. The accident l...
this is a test
Letter: Keep up the public pressure to make Jasper’s backcountry safe
Opinion
Letter: Keep up the public pressure to make Jasper’s backcountry safe
Tuesday, May 9, 2023
Re: Fully funded bridge proposal rebuffed by Jasper's superintendent (May 5, 2023) Dear Editor, This is an excellent article in The Jasper Local. I am...
this is a test
Latest ›
Store manager leaving a legacy of customer care
Store manager leaving a legacy of customer care
Bob Covey 
Thursday, May 18, 2023
Rick Lagace has stocked his last shelf. The store manager at TGP Your Jasper Grocer is retiring. Over hotdogs and pop in the TGP parking lot, Lagace s...
this is a test
Forty and fabulous: Mountain Air an OG of Jasper retail
Business
Forty and fabulous: Mountain Air an OG of Jasper retail
Wednesday, May 17, 2023
Mountain Air stands as one of Jasper’s most unique, well-established shopping locations. Having celebrated the store’s 40th anniversary recently, the ...
this is a test
NDP’s Kreiner withdraws from all-candidates forum
Local Government
NDP’s Kreiner withdraws from all-candidates forum
Bob Covey 
Monday, May 15, 2023
West Yellowhead’s NDP candidate Fred Kreiner has elected not to participate in Jasper’s scheduled all-candidates forum. “I’ve decided and the NDP part...
this is a test
Fire ban issued for Jasper
Environment
Fire ban issued for Jasper
Effective May 11, Jasper National Park and the Municipality of Jasper are issuing a park and town-wide fire ban
Bob Covey 
Wednesday, May 10, 2023
Jasper National Park is issuing a fire ban. The ban is effective Thursday, May 11. Parks Canada announced the fire ban in partnership with the Municip...
this is a test

NEXT ARTICLE

Keeping it real: Janis Irwin on strategic door knocking, self care and embracing change

Alberta Politics, Community, Generic, News

Most Read ›
Fully funded bridge proposal rebuffed by Jasper’s superintendent
News
Fully funded bridge proposal rebuffed by Jasper’s superintendent
Bob Covey 
Friday, May 5, 2023
Jasper National Park Superintendent Alan Fehr has declined a private offer to rebuild a washed-out bridge at Simon Creek, a structure which would allo...
this is a test
NDP’s Kreiner withdraws from all-candidates forum
Local Government
NDP’s Kreiner withdraws from all-candidates forum
Bob Covey 
Monday, May 15, 2023
West Yellowhead’s NDP candidate Fred Kreiner has elected not to participate in Jasper’s scheduled all-candidates forum. “I’ve decided and the NDP part...
this is a test
Helicopter sustains “incredible” damage after accident on Columbia Icefields
Community
Helicopter sustains “incredible” damage after accident on Columbia Icefields
Bob Covey 
Monday, April 24, 2023
A helicopter transporting Natural Resources Canada glacier surveyors had a hard landing on an icefield in Banff National Park April 14. The accident l...
this is a test
Letter: Keep up the public pressure to make Jasper’s backcountry safe
Opinion
Letter: Keep up the public pressure to make Jasper’s backcountry safe
Tuesday, May 9, 2023
Re: Fully funded bridge proposal rebuffed by Jasper's superintendent (May 5, 2023) Dear Editor, This is an excellent article in The Jasper Local. I am...
this is a test
Latest ›
Perfect pitch: Jasper golfer an ambassador for women and deaf athletes
News
Perfect pitch: Jasper golfer an ambassador for women and deaf athletes
Women’s Golf Day at the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge Golf Club is June 6
Bob Covey 
Wednesday, May 31, 2023
Dressed in Sunday red, balanced perfectly on her follow-through and watching her golf ball arc above a stand of aspens on the hardest ranked hole at S...
this is a test
Team Orange has the blues: Low voter turnout in Neverland
Alberta Politics
Team Orange has the blues: Low voter turnout in Neverland
Bob Covey 
Tuesday, May 30, 2023
Despite pundits calling this election the most important in Alberta’s history, only one in four eligible Jasperites made the trip down to the Jasper A...
this is a test
Undying loyalty to political parties (and hockey teams) is bad for Alberta
Editorial
Undying loyalty to political parties (and hockey teams) is bad for Alberta
Bob Covey 
Friday, May 26, 2023
Confession time: for as long as I can remember, I’ve been a Calgary Flames fan. It’s not my fault! When you’re eight-years-old and your dad is dancing...
this is a test
GYPSD trustees question Alberta charter schools
GYPSD trustees question Alberta charter schools
Bob Covey 
Friday, May 26, 2023
Grande Yellowhead Public School Division’s board of trustees is speaking out against publicly-funded charter schools. In an opinion piece run in regio...
this is a test

Copyright © The Jasper Local

This site complies with Jasper requirements
Contact us
Privacy Policy
Advertise With Us
About The Jasper Local
Accessibility Policy
This site complies with Jasper requirements
  • Contact us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Advertise With Us
  • About The Jasper Local
  • Accessibility Policy

Follow Us

Advertise with us

Measurable, targeted, local. Email example@thejasperlocal.com

ePaper
coogle_play
app_store

© Copyright The Jasper Local