Chad Dupuis, a long-time Alberta Parks employee, shared his recent wildlife encounter while working at Carson Pegasus Provincial Park. As the maintenance supervisor, he and his team had been busy preparing over 120 camping sites for new visitors on a scorching Sunday. Despite the demanding tasks of cleaning up the park, Dupuis was in high spirits as the day drew to a close.
Returning to his Winnebago, Dupuis was looking forward to grilling steaks for dinner when he discovered the meat missing. Initially suspecting a nearby black bear, he ruled out this possibility due to the lack of a mess. Puzzled, he considered if someone had trespassed into his camper, but dismissed it as they would have taken valuables instead.
Upon finding a softball-sized hole in his window screen, Dupuis realized a critter had infiltrated his living space and snatched his dinner. Reflecting on his close interactions with wildlife in the forest, he acknowledged the importance of respecting their habitat. Hearing a growl beneath his bed, he cautiously investigated and encountered a pine marten, a weasel-like creature, which quickly fled.
Relieved and amused by the incident, Dupuis embraced the unexpected dinner outcome, prepared to share his tale with colleagues the next day. Despite missing out on his steak, he accepted dinner with a sense of humor, opting for a simple meal with Mr. Noodle.