Family attacked by wolf while camping in Banff National Park
A New Jersey family was camping in Canada’s Banff National Park last week when they were awoken around 1 a.m. by a wolf tearing through their tent. The mother, Elisa Rispoli, said on Facebook that the father, Matthew, threw himself in front of her and their two boys as the wolf bit at his hands and arms. The wolf then clamped onto his arm and began to drag him away from the tent when a nearby camper heard the family’s screams and stepped in to help. The camper, Russ Fee, kicked the wolf in the hind legs, then both men started yelling and throwing rocks at the animal as Elisa and the boys ran to hide in Fee’s minivan. The Rispoli family eventually made it to a hospital where Matthew was treated for puncture wounds and lacerations.
The incident marks the first time a wolf has attacked at a Canadian National Park, said Parks Canada. No wildlife attractants were found inside of the tent and it’s unclear why the wolf attacked the family, though a necropsy confirmed that the wolf was nearing the end of its life and in bad health, which likely contributed to the attack.
Fayetteville, NC: 5 outdoor recreation workshops offered in September
If you’d like to learn more about fishing, the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission’s John E. Pechmann Fishing Education Center in Fayetteville, NC is offering free workshops for people of all ages and skill levels in September. The Pechmann Center conducts fishing workshops, events and clinics throughout the year. September’s offerings include:
- September 7- Fish Preparation and Cookery Workshop from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Ages 16+.
- September 10- Intermediate Fly-Casting Workshop from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Ages 13+. Participants must have previously completed the Beginner Fly-Fishing Workshop.
- September 11- Soft Plastic Lure Making Workshop from 6:30 p.m.- 8:30 p.m. All Ages.
- September 17- Pier Fishing Workshop from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Ages 15+.
- September 26- Fly-tying Forum from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Ages 10+. Participants under 15 must be accompanied by an adult.
Online registration is required. Workshops are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Visit ncwildlife.org/learning.
Yellow-banded bumble bee and others denied protection under the Endangered Species Act
The Fish and Wildlife Service has released their 12-month findings on petitions to list eight species as threatened or endangered under the Endangered Species Act. The agency announced that “after a thorough review of the best available scientific and commercial information, we find that it is not warranted at this time to list the Arapahoe snowfly, brook floater, golden orb, Joshua tree, seaside alder, smooth pimpleback, tricolored blackbird and yellow-banded bumble bee.”
Though denying the species protection, the Fish and Wildlife Service encourages the public to submit any new information that becomes available relevant to the species and their habitats.
