logo
  • News
    • Community
    • Local Government
    • Sports
    • Alberta Politics
    • Opinion
    • Deke
  • Events
  • Peaks & Valleys
    • Wildlife
    • Hiking and Climbing
    • Biking
    • Fishing
    • Snow Sports
  • Culture
    • Jasper Arts & Culture
    • Local Dining
    • Local Literature
  • Jasper History
  • Support
    • News
      • Community
      • Local Government
      • Sports
      • Alberta Politics
      • Opinion
      • Deke
    • Events
    • Peaks & Valleys
      • Wildlife
      • Hiking and Climbing
      • Biking
      • Fishing
      • Snow Sports
    • Culture
      • Jasper Arts & Culture
      • Local Dining
      • Local Literature
    • Jasper History
    • Support
Letter: Poor infrastructure management can cause physical harm to people and wildlife
Simone Heinrich photograph
Letters, News, Wildlife
Thursday, September 21, 2023
Letter: Poor infrastructure management can cause physical harm to people and wildlife

Dear Editor,

I’m an ex-Jasperite/Hintonite. I grew up in the area in the 70s and 80s, and of course Jasper has a special place in my heart. Two years ago I moved back to Alberta to be closer to the grandkids and have settled in Cochrane.

I am a longtime photographer, and whenever I can, I pay a visit to my old spots in Jasper—the ones which today have become a “gong show,” as the large influx of people and wildlife near the highways can cause serious traffic problems. On September 19, a well-habituated black bear (cinnamon phase) didn’t mind one bit having cars completely surround it, blocking traffic flow while tourists snapped selfies just a few meters away!

The sight of a bear can make ordinarily-rational people abandon all common sense. This scene was above Medicine Lake, on the Maligne Lake Road. Parks Canada reminds visitors to give bears at least 100 metres of space. // Bob Covey

This time of year is the elk rut, and people have learned that they can see this phenomenon right near some of the highways in Jasper National Park. This can lead to serious problems. On Monday, September 18, near the parking area at the Jasper airport, there were many photographers and videographers, including myself, trying to catch that magic moment (the spectacle of us jostling for best position would make for a good comedy show).

On this occasion there were four bulls running after each other (or more likely, away from the dominant bull). There was a big fight between two of the bigger bulls, a spectacle in itself. Like many other shooters, I wanted to record the event. I knew that there was a fence between us and the bulls, but when I tried to go around it I missed seeing the part of the fence that was rolled up, damaged and partly-covered by tall grass. The squares in the fence are fairly large—a shoe or boot can easily get caught in them, and as such, one of my feet did exactly that. Carrying a camera and long lens, it took all of my strength and agility to prevent a dangerous and embarrassing fall. But I kept to the task and moved on. It was only the next day when I went back to the area to look for the same bulls did I discover the association between elk and fences.

On this day, I watched two bulls across from the railway tracks, a distance from each other, bedded down, calmly chewing their tasty cud. The bigger of the two was periodically bugling, answered by another smaller bull, busy checking a group of cows. I approached the big bull at a safe distance. His bugle was not as loud and aggressive as the day before.

Big buck elk in the middle of the townsite are not uncommon during the fall rut. // Bob Covey

After a while the two calls resembled a lament. The first big bull got up at one point, nibbling at some grass. But the standing up did not last for more than two minutes, and it only got up once during the two hours I spent with them. There was no one else around, no cars parked along the highway (what luck!). Then I noticed he was limping. At first I thought his right, hind leg was damaged. But on reviewing my video I noticed that it was actually the upper part of its leg. No visible wound showing, just a big swollen upper leg. Dislocated? That’s when I began thinking, “did it get its leg caught in the fence rolled up and hidden by the grass just as I did?” The two bulls were fighting near it! The other bedded-down bull never got up during the two hours I was observing them. It wasn’t chewing the cud anymore and looked a bit distressed. Perhaps it was also hurt?

What is a damaged, rolled up fence, doing there? It was hiding in tall grass where elk are pasturing and battling it out for dominance. Half a day’s work would have that fence removed or repaired. Common sense appears not to be too common in this case.

Respectfully,

Joe Campana, Cochrane, AB


Got beef with an issue in Jasper? Send your email to info@thejasperlocal.com 

Articles You May LIke ›
Letters: Lack of respect for wildlife on full display in Alberta
Alberta Politics
Letters: Lack of respect for wildlife on full display in Alberta
Wednesday, February 19, 2025
Re: Alberta's cougar harvest policy doesn't track (Jasper Local, February 14, 2025). February 19, 2025 Dear Editor: As a retired community newspaper p...
this is a test
Letter: Systemic healthcare issues require urgent attention from province
Alberta Politics
Letter: Systemic healthcare issues require urgent attention from province
Thursday, November 21, 2024
Dear Premier Smith, MLA Long, the Hinton Medical Clinic, and fellow Albertans: I am reaching out through this open letter to shed light on the urgent ...
this is a test
Letter: Thumbs down for paid parking infrastructure
Letters
Letter: Thumbs down for paid parking infrastructure
Tuesday, July 2, 2024
As I just arrived today for my two-day stay here I'd be happy to pay for parking, IF I could pay. The self-pay machine does not work, and I refuse to ...
this is a test
Bears are up, but negative encounters don’t have to be
News
Bears are up, but negative encounters don’t have to be
Cameron Jackson 
Thursday, April 4, 2024
Parks Canada reminding the public about staying safe in bear country The first bear sighting in Jasper National Park this spring has been reported. Th...
this is a test
Most Read ›
Perfect, different storms: Wildfire talk to draw on 200 years of forest history
Community
Perfect, different storms: Wildfire talk to draw on 200 years of forest history
Bob Covey 
Wednesday, May 14, 2025
“One thing that has been clear is human behaviour hasn't changed. We tend to think that the last fire was an anomaly, think of it as unfortunate, and ...
this is a test
Alberta’s caribou conundrum
Alberta Politics
Alberta’s caribou conundrum
Mark Bradley 
Tuesday, May 20, 2025
For 40 years, the province has put industry ahead of endangered species Is the Alberta government hell-bent on eliminating what remains of the two car...
this is a test
Latest ›
Jasper veterinarian bidding fur-well
Community
Jasper veterinarian bidding fur-well
Georgia Ristivojevic, freelance contributor 
Thursday, May 8, 2025
If your beloved furry friend calls Jasper home, chances are you are familiar with Dr. Janet Jones, Jasper and Valemount’s local veterinarian.  For the...
this is a test
Men’s Shed constructing community
Community
Men’s Shed constructing community
Bob Covey 
Tuesday, May 6, 2025
Connection, camaraderie, community: Grand Opening May 10 A new movement is building in Jasper. Since February 6, the local chapter of Men’s Shed Canad...
this is a test
Neophyte author pens fantastical journey in familiar setting
Arts & Culture
Neophyte author pens fantastical journey in familiar setting
Bob Covey 
Saturday, May 3, 2025
The playful bending of personal knowledge, documented history and mythology—kindled from the stories of First Nations cultures he has deep reverence a...
this is a test
Opinion: Forget party politics. Vote for local representation
Alberta Politics
Opinion: Forget party politics. Vote for local representation
Bob Covey 
Friday, April 25, 2025
For the first time in decades, Yellowhead has a real race on its hands Pundits and prognosticators are all saying it: this federal election is the mos...
this is a test

NEXT ARTICLE

Details from bid scores shed light on Jasper Transit RFP

Business, Community, News

Most Read ›
Perfect, different storms: Wildfire talk to draw on 200 years of forest history
Community
Perfect, different storms: Wildfire talk to draw on 200 years of forest history
Bob Covey 
Wednesday, May 14, 2025
“One thing that has been clear is human behaviour hasn't changed. We tend to think that the last fire was an anomaly, think of it as unfortunate, and ...
this is a test
Alberta’s caribou conundrum
Alberta Politics
Alberta’s caribou conundrum
Mark Bradley 
Tuesday, May 20, 2025
For 40 years, the province has put industry ahead of endangered species Is the Alberta government hell-bent on eliminating what remains of the two car...
this is a test
Latest ›
Jam for Jasper at the Banff Springs
Arts & Culture
Jam for Jasper at the Banff Springs
Bob Covey 
Friday, May 23, 2025
Jasperites encouraged to attend wildfire resilience event A live music event, a rally cry, a celebration of resilience, a reckoning. An artist’s state...
this is a test
Alberta’s caribou conundrum
Alberta Politics
Alberta’s caribou conundrum
Mark Bradley 
Tuesday, May 20, 2025
For 40 years, the province has put industry ahead of endangered species Is the Alberta government hell-bent on eliminating what remains of the two car...
this is a test
Perfect, different storms: Wildfire talk to draw on 200 years of forest history
Community
Perfect, different storms: Wildfire talk to draw on 200 years of forest history
Bob Covey 
Wednesday, May 14, 2025
“One thing that has been clear is human behaviour hasn't changed. We tend to think that the last fire was an anomaly, think of it as unfortunate, and ...
this is a test
First business opens in Jasper pop-up village with more on the way
Biking
First business opens in Jasper pop-up village with more on the way
Peter Shokeir, Local Journalism Initiative, Jasper Fitzhugh 
Wednesday, May 14, 2025
Vicious Cycle's pop-up location opened on May 1; eight more businesses are expected to move in over the next two months until an official launch on th...
this is a test
This site complies with Jasper requirements
Contact us
Privacy Policy
Advertise With Us
About The Jasper Local
Accessibility Policy
Support

Follow Us

Advertise with us

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

ePaper
coogle_play
app_store

© Copyright The Jasper Local