Posted on 04/01/2002 8:55:37 AM PST by ContentiousObjector
Predators moving from K-Country to Fish Creek for summit in June
G-8 wildlife evacuation
by Forrest Greene
Calgary Sun
Security fears involving G-8 leaders will spark an unprecedented animal evacuation of Kananaskis Country, the Sun has learned.
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Security officials, desperate to avoid world leaders being attacked by wildlife, will empty the mountain corridor of all large animals.
Bears, cougars, deer, moose and mountain goats living within a 20-km radius of the summit will be tranquilized and taken to Fish Creek Park in south Calgary beginning June 1.
They will stay there until after the G-8 summit of world leaders comes to an end June 28. The two-day summit begins June 26.
Fish Creek will be entirely closed to the public during the month.
About 155 km of chain-link fence will be erected around Fish Creek Park to keep the animals inside, said Barry Griswald, director of the Environment Protection Service, which is overseeing the mass migration project.
Griswald’s department green-lighted the operation after U.S. security authorities voiced concerns of keeping the area, and U.S. President George W. Bush, free from harm.
Whether it be terrorists, brown bears or cougars, it really doesn’t matter, said Griswald.
“Better safe than sorry,” he said.
Using supersonic impulses blasted from loudspeakers, a team of 41 wildlife officers will herd the animals together in Kananaskis before the mass tranquilization takes place.
The sleeping creatures will then be loaded into semis for the drive to Fish Creek.
When asked how many animals will be rounded up in the project, Griswald said: “I don’t know, thousands maybe.”
The intricate security operation is expected to cost $15 million and taxpayers are expected to foot at least half the bill, Sun sources said.
The move has angered people who live near, and use, Fish Creek Park.
“Have they lost their minds?” asked April Fulton, who lives in Woodbine overlooking Fish Creek Park. “And they expect us to pay for this?”
Calgarians looking to comment on the project are asked to call the Environment Protection Service at 250-4155.
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