Chad Dupuis, a resident of Slave Lake, Alberta, has been employed by Alberta Parks since 2017. He shared his experience of working in Carson Pegasus Provincial Park, where he serves as the maintenance supervisor. On a scorching Sunday, the team completed preparations for over 120 camping sites, ensuring they were ready for incoming visitors.
While the tasks of park maintenance, such as trash collection, fire pit cleaning, and tree rope removal, are demanding, Chad was in high spirits as the day drew to a close. As he returned to his Winnebago, looking forward to grilling a steak for dinner, he was met with a surprising sight – the meat he had planned to cook was missing.
Initially puzzled, Chad considered the possibility of a two-year-old black bear that had recently been spotted in the vicinity. However, the absence of a major mess led him to rule out a bear intrusion. Instead, he speculated about unauthorized human access to his camper, although valuables were left untouched.
Upon closer inspection, Chad noticed a softball-sized hole in the window screen, indicating that a smaller creature had infiltrated his living space and made off with his dinner. Reflecting on his numerous encounters with wildlife in the forest, including encounters with deer, bears, and pheasants, he was reminded of the animals’ dominance in their natural habitat.
A subsequent growling sound from beneath the bed prompted Chad to investigate, leading to the discovery of a pine marten, a weasel-like creature, that had raided his food supply. After the marten made a swift exit, Chad amusedly contemplated sharing the tale with his colleagues the following day, resigned to dining on a simpler meal for the evening.
Chad’s experience serves as a reminder that wildlife interactions in the forest can be unpredictable and should be approached with respect for the animals’ territory.
If you have a personal story that could resonate with others, CBC encourages you to share it by pitching your story to them.
