A bull elk was shot and left for dead in the park last month.
It was found completely intact, just outside of town, off of Highway 16 West. Its rack and carcass hadn鈥檛 been touched, leaving a lingering question as to whether the animal was shot for sport or the shooter was caught in the act and forced to flee.
Either way, the shooting was a flagrant violation of the law. Wildlife living within Canada鈥檚 national parks is protected.
It is protected to ensure that these species thrive in the few places where habitat is untouched.
Outside of the parks, industry rules and with industry comes habitat destruction and with habitat destruction often comes the demise of native species.
It is the responsibility of Canada鈥檚 protected spaces to provide a safe haven for their animals; that鈥檚 why when one is needlessly killed, there鈥檚 a hefty price to pay.
The maximum fine for killing elk鈥攚hich have special protections within the park鈥攊s $750,000 and/or five years in jail.
That鈥檚 nothing to sneeze at, especially when you consider most people in Jasper would have to work 25 years to make that kind of money.
That鈥檚 right, do the math. It would take 25 years at $30,000 a year to pay off that fine, and that wouldn鈥檛 even allow for housing costs, or food for that matter.
Parks Canada is still looking for a suspect in last month鈥檚 illegal hunting incident and the agency is asking for the public鈥檚 assistance in identifying one.
In many cases, wardens have been unable to find the people responsible for killing or poaching animals in the park, rather they just find the aftermath鈥攁 carcass, often missing antlers, bones or large pieces of flesh.
For instance, in 2006, a mature bull elk was discovered near Talbot Lake, with its antlers and most of its carcass removed, and no charges were laid. Similarly, in 1999, a headless elk was found by Jasper Lake; the poacher was never found.
We can only hope that, with the help of the public, the person responsible for the death of one of the park鈥檚 elk is apprehended, charged and convicted.
Their actions were shameless and shouldn鈥檛 go unpunished.
If you have information about the shooting, we encourage you to contact the warden service at 1-877-852-3100.
