128 COMMISSION OF CONSERVATION 



Those in charge of the parks have been able to realize the truth of 

 Dr. Hornaday's assertion that : " There is not a single wild mammal 

 or bird species now living that can not or does not quickly recognize 

 protection, and take advantage of it." 



The daily diaries kept by the game wardens furnish probably the 

 best sources of evidence in this regard. From the Rocky Mountains 

 park, one warden reports "Numbers of deer in Banfif town tame enough 

 to feed at house door," while others mention seeing quantities of wild 

 fowl, especially partridges, as well as numerous sheep and deer, 90 

 sheep having been seen in one flock. From Jasper park, it is reported 

 that sheep are becoming so tame as to be in danger of being caught 

 by trains, that partridges are very plentiful and beavers and swans 

 increasing. A warden in Waterton Lakes park states that he saw 

 in one day 33 deer, of which 11 were big black-tail deer, while 

 another speaks of seeing sheep in bands of 15 to 20. 



Waterton Lakes park, increased in area nt the same 

 Lj&es*Park ^^"^^ ^^ Jasper park in June, 1914, from 13J^ square 

 miles to 423 square miles, is in the heart of one of 

 the finest game districts in the Rockies and abounds with grouse, part- 

 ridges, pheasants, ptarmigan, grey geese, ducks and prairie chickens. 

 Black bears, grizzlies, mountain goats and sheep are numerous. 



Before this park was increased in area, a two-mile strip of unpro- 

 tected territory lay between it and the United States Glacier park on 

 the south. With the United States sanctuary on the one hand and 

 Waterton Lakes park on the other, one can realize what a hunters' 

 paradise this strip was prior to that date. United States authorities, 

 the Campfire Club of America and others, interested in the protection 

 of wild life, had pointed out the dangerous nature of such a condition 

 of affairs for years. As our park has been extended to the boundary, 

 there now exists a great international sanctuary, the first of its kind, 

 of over 1,800 square miles in area, in which the wild life of that portion 

 of the Rockies enjoys absolute protection. 



The Parks Branch maintains a staff of permanent game 



Duties of wardens but, whenever circumstances demand it, this 



Wardens . . , , , , 



IS mcreased by the appomtment of temporary war- 

 dens. In addition to their other duties, the game wardens are charged 

 with the destruction of noxious or predatory animals and are allowed 

 to carry a gun for this purpose. Formerly, the game in Rocky Moun- 

 tains park suffered severely from the attacks of coyotes, which existed 

 there in great numbers, but, owing to the energetic measures adopted 



