Tag: Jasper National Park

Watch: Angry bull elk delivers stern warning to Jasper motorist

The elk rut is ongoing and tourists in elk habitat should be aware that they are not safe from ornery bulls simply because they are inside a vehicle.

The elk rut is ongoing and tourists in elk habitat should be aware that they are not safe from ornery bulls simply because they’re inside a vehicle.

The accompanying footage, captured in Jasper National Park in Alberta, Canada, shows a car just feet from a bull elk and the elk planting its antlers into the car as it begins to pull away.

“Oh my gosh,” the astonished videographer narrates.

The footage was shared via Instagram this week by John Krampl, who wrote in his description: “The rut is on and this Bull Elk is horny and angry. Don’t sit there, drive away fast and loud. This poor guy couldn’t because of all the traffic.”

The extent of damage to the motorist’s vehicle is not known, but you get an idea, after watching with sound, that it was considerable.

The elk rut is mating season and bulls are extremely protective of their harems and territory, so it’s wise to observe from afar.

Reads a comment beneath Krampl’s post: “I live in Jasper and this video is going viral. Thank you for posting it, people just don’t get that the animals in the Park are wild animals and they need space.”

Another comment: “Play stupid games, win stupid prizes.”

Bear kills dog in Jasper National Park, a warning for pet owners

The mauling of a dog by a bear Saturday in Canada’s Jasper National Park underscores the risk associated with bringing pets into the wilderness.

The fatal mauling of a dog by a bear Saturday in Canada’s Jasper National Park underscores the risk associated with bringing pets into the wilderness.

Parks Canada, which manages the country’s national parks, confirmed Monday that a black bear attacked and killed one of two dogs being walked by visitors on the Wabasso Lake Trail.

Jasper National Park, in Alberta, described the incident in a news release: “They were approached at close range by a black bear and the bear attacked one of the dogs. The hikers then deployed bear spray in an effort to deter the bear.”

RELATED: Black bear breaks into nature center, kills famous deer

Parks Canada did not mention the type of dog or whether its was illegally allowed off-leash. But Jasper National Park stated: “This is a sad reminder that all pets should be kept under control and on-leash at all times within a national park.”

A team of human-wildlife confrontation experts responded to the incident, which remains under investigation. The area is closed while experts try to locate the bear involved in the attack.

–Generic black bear image courtesy of Alan D. Wilson