Chad Dupuis, a long-time Alberta Parks employee, shared a recent wildlife encounter while working at Carson Pegasus Provincial Park. As the maintenance supervisor, Chad spent a hot Sunday preparing camping sites for new visitors. After a busy day, he returned to his Winnebago, looking forward to a steak dinner, only to find the meat missing.
Initially suspecting a nearby black bear, Chad soon realized a smaller animal had accessed his camper through a hole in the window screen. Disappointed but reminded of the unpredictable nature of wildlife, Chad reflected on his experiences with forest animals over the years.
Upon hearing a growl from under his bed, Chad cautiously investigated and discovered a pine marten, a weasel family member, had infiltrated his living space. The pine marten growled and eventually retreated up a tree, leaving Chad amused but steak-less for the evening.
This unexpected encounter served as a reminder that in the wilderness, animals reign supreme, and human comforts are always subject to wildlife surprises. Chad’s tale of sharing his living space with a curious pine marten would surely entertain his colleagues the following day.