Pine beetles in Banff National Park threaten Alberta forests

September 28, 2000
Source: Canada.com
Original story - link verified on September 28, 2000

Mountain pine beetles in Banff National Park in the Rocky Mountains pose a threat to Alberta forests unless a cold winter kills them or the outbreak is quickly brought under control, an Alberta's Environment Department official said on Thursday. About 500 lodgepole pine trees, compared with only 10 in 1998, in the park in southwestern Alberta are now infested with the 0.5-centimeter (0.20-inch) long beetles, which could also spread to commercial forestry. They descend on Alberta from forests in neighboring British Columbia about every 20 years. Beetle outbreaks in Alberta parks have in the past been controlled by cutting and burning thousands of trees. But federal officials generally feel the ecozystem should be protected in national national parks by letting nature take its course.

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