Parks Canada closes multiple hiking trails in Kluane National Park and Reserve following wolf attack

Parks Canada closes multiple hiking trails in Kluane National Park and Reserve following wolf attack

Shepherd’s Knoll and Ä’äy Chù East in the Ä’äy Chù Valley closed until further notice

Parks Canada has closed part of the Ä’äy Chù Valley in Kluane National Park and Reserve near Haines Junction, Yukon after a wolf attacked a visitor, causing minor injuries.

The closure impacts several popular hiking trails in the northern section of the park, including Bullion Plateau, Sheep Creek, Shepherd’s Knoll, Ä’äy Chù East and Ä’äy Chù West.

Staff received multiple reports of a young, lone wolf exhibiting “bold behaviour," including following people and “making contact” with personal property, according to a bulletin released by Parks Canada on Friday.

As of Sunday, resource conservation staff are assessing the situation, Parks Canada said.

Human-wolf conflict is extremely rare, the federal agency said.

Visitors can call the Kluane National Park and Reserve Visitor Centre, located inside the Da Kų Cultural Centre, at 867-634-5134 to a report wildlife sighting.

Ariel Tozman is a producer with CBC Whitehorse. She has also worked at the CBC News investigative unit, The World This Hour and CBC News Network. Reach her at ariel.tozman@cbc.ca.