A peacock has been euthanized in Jasper National Park.
The bird (technically a domestic peafowl) was first spotted July 2 by Jasper residents and Parks Canada staff on the outskirts of the Jasper townsite. Parks Canada consulted with external experts, and after six days of significant efforts to capture and remove the peacock, euthanized the bird on July 7.
Parks Canada is unaware of how the animal ended up in the park, or whehter it was an accidental or deliberate release.
Taking lethal steps to remove any animal from the park is always a last resort, Parks Canada said in a news release. But the introduction of non-native species or domestic animals poses serious consequences for the natural environments of national parks, and is prohibited under the National Parks of Canada Domestic Animals Regulations.
In this case, Parks Canada said the risk of introducing avian disease and parasites to other natural wildlife in the Albeta park was too great to allow the peacock to remain on the landscape.
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