Chad Dupuis, a resident of Slave Lake, Alberta, has been employed at Alberta Parks since 2017. He shared his experience of becoming accustomed to the wildlife inhabiting the forest where he lives and works. As the maintenance supervisor at Carson Pegasus Provincial Park in Alberta, Chad described a typical busy Sunday preparing camping sites for new visitors. Despite the demanding tasks of park maintenance, he enjoyed the day’s end and looked forward to a steak dinner.
Upon returning to his Winnebago, Chad discovered his dinner missing, sparking initial concerns of a bear intrusion. However, the absence of a significant mess led him to consider other possibilities, such as human interference. Eventually, he noticed a hole in the window screen, indicating a smaller critter had pilfered his meal, reminiscent of childhood disappointments.
Living and working in the forest exposed Chad to various wildlife encounters, emphasizing the importance of respecting animals’ habitats. A subsequent growling sound under his bed led him to discover a pine marten, a weasel-like creature, raiding his food supply. After the marten departed, Chad chuckled at the unexpected turn of events, preparing to share his unusual dinner tale with colleagues the next day.
Chad’s encounter serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of wildlife and the need to remain vigilant in their presence, even after years of familiarity with forest inhabitants.