Chad Dupuis, a resident of Slave Lake, Alberta, has been employed by Alberta Parks since 2017. He shared his experience of working in Carson Pegasus Provincial Park, where he serves as the maintenance supervisor. On a particularly busy Sunday, after preparing over 120 camping sites for incoming visitors, Dupuis was looking forward to a barbecue dinner with steak.
Upon returning to his Winnebago, he discovered that the meat he had planned to cook was missing. Initially perplexed, he considered the recent visit of a black bear to his campsite. However, the absence of a messy scene made him doubt this theory. Searching for clues, he noticed a softball-sized hole in the window screen, indicating a smaller animal might have been the culprit.
Realizing his dinner had been stolen by a critter, Dupuis reflected on the importance of respecting wildlife in their natural habitat. As he pondered the situation, he heard a growl from beneath the bed, prompting him to investigate. Opening the door to the outside space under the bed, he encountered a pine marten, a weasel family member, which quickly fled up a tree.
Relieved that the intruder had left, Dupuis returned to his camper, amused by the unexpected turn of events. He accepted having a simple meal that evening and looked forward to sharing the amusing story with his colleagues the next day. This incident served as a reminder of the wild and unpredictable nature of animals, even for someone accustomed to living and working in the forest.
