Chad Dupuis, a resident of Slave Lake, Alberta, has been employed by Alberta Parks since 2017. Reflecting on his time living and working in the forest, he acknowledges how he had grown accustomed to the wildlife that inhabits the woods. As the maintenance supervisor at Carson Pegasus Provincial Park in Alberta, Chad’s routine involved preparing over 120 camping sites for incoming visitors on a scorching Sunday, the busiest day of the week.
Despite the demanding tasks of park maintenance such as waste collection, firepit cleaning, and tidying up after campers, Chad was in high spirits as the day neared its end. Returning to his Winnebago, he anticipated a delightful steak dinner that he had planned to barbecue. However, upon entering his camper, he was startled to find the meat missing, with only brown butcher paper left behind.
Perplexed by the disappearance, Chad initially considered the nearby black bear that had recently been spotted in the area. Yet, the lack of a mess ruled out the bear as the culprit. Puzzled, he pondered if an unauthorized visitor had taken the steaks, but dismissed the idea upon noticing the untouched change jar on the counter.
Upon discovering a softball-sized hole in the window screen, Chad realized that a small creature had pilfered his dinner. This incident served as a humbling reminder of the wildlife’s domain in the forest. Despite his familiarity with animals like deer, bears, and pheasants, the encounter emphasized the inherent wildness and unpredictability of nature.
Sitting on the bed, Chad heard a growl emanating from beneath him, prompting him to investigate. Opening the camper’s side door, he witnessed a reddish-brown pine marten, a weasel-like creature, dart out and ascend a nearby tree. Relieved that the intruder had departed, Chad chuckled to himself, accepting dinner with a humorous nod to “Mr. Noodle.”
As he prepared to share his escapade with colleagues the following day, Chad reflected on the harmonious yet unpredictable coexistence with wildlife in the forest. This amusing anecdote underscored the importance of respecting nature’s inhabitants and being vigilant in their presence, no matter how accustomed one may be to their surroundings.
