Looking for wolves? Advisory up at BC park

Visitors to Canada's Pacific Rim National Park Reserve have been crying wolf, lately. It seems wolves from two different groups have been making visits to campgrounds, not looking for Little Red, simply looking around. Parks Canada has issued a formal "wolf advisory" for the British Columbia area park, specifically for its Greenpoint Campground.

According to a press release, government officials are concerned by recent sightings and at least one close encounter between a wolf and a dog on a leash in the park. While no injuries have resulted from wolf encounters, Parks Canada cautions visitors to be cautious. "If animals learn at a younger age not to be afraid of people, this is an animal that is more likely to come into a [human] conflict situation," said Renee Wissink, manager of resource conservation, in an interview printed in canada.com. She added, "That problem has to be addressed in one way or another."

Wolves have not only been seen in the park, but outside it in close proximity. Nearby Mussel Beach Campground has witnessed several wolf visits in recent weeks. Again, the wolves are not acting aggressively, at least not toward humans. Some wolves were seen feasting the carcus of a dead seal or sea lion on the beach.

Green Point Campground is located on Highway 4; midway between Ucluelet & Tofino on Vancouver Island.

stock photo: fremlin on flickr.com