BANFF – A deer entangled in Christmas lights has promoted Parks Canada to remind residents to take down their outdoor festive decorations.
On Sunday (Jan. 6), a resident in the Fairholme Place area reported that Christmas lights got caught up in an animal’s antlers.
“Staff patrolled the area, but we weren’t able to locate or find any signs of the deer,” said Bill Hunt, resource conservation manager for Banff National Park.
“We are interested if anyone sees the deer to please call right away and let us know where it is. If it’s still entangled we want to get those lights removed.”
The number to call is 403-762-1470.
Hunt said there’s a trend to string lights through deciduous trees.
“That’s problematic because they’re the types of trees ungulates are browsing on,” he said.
“It’s important to think about taking Christmas lights down now that Christmas is over and any lights loosely strung on trees to get down as soon as possible.”
In October, a buck got entangled in hammock and was later found struggling and hanging in a tree. Parks at the time said the animal was very stressed and lucky it didn’t die.
