THEBACHA/FORT SMITH - An extreme and rare act of vandalism has occurred in Wood Buffalo National Park.

This viewing scope was smashed by a vandal or vandals on May 29 at the salt plains overlook in Wood Buffalo National Park. - photo courtesy of Wood Buffalo National Park

The salt plains overlook, one of the park's most visited tourist sites, was vandalized on the evening of May 29.

A viewing telescope and interpretive signs were destroyed, and the overlook's viewing platform was damaged.

The incident resulted in about $5,000 in damages.

Mike Keizer, Wood Buffalo's external relations manager, said such vandalism is very rare in the park.

"I've been working at Wood Buffalo for over 17 years now and I am hard-pressed to remember, other than the occasional bullet holes in signs, vandalism of this scale," he said.

Keizer described the incident as disappointing and disconcerting.

The salt plains overlook is about 12 km south of Highway 5, roughly 40 km west of Fort Smith.

It features a viewing platform with interpretive signs from which visitors can watch wildlife on the colourful plains below. The area also features a day-use area with picnic tables. A trail down the hillside leads to the salt plains themselves.

Keizer noted the overlook had been refurbished two years ago with new binocular viewing scopes.

The scope at the level for standing adults was destroyed, while a scope at the level for children and people in wheelchairs was not damaged.

Keizer is not sure how long it will take to repair the facility, noting unbudgeted funding will have to be found to order equipment from Ontario.

However, he said the overlook is still open, but not at its best because of the damage.

The site is popular with Fort Smith residents and visitors to the park.

"It is probably one of the premier destination points in the park for visitors," Keizer said. "Most visitors want to get down to the salt mounds and see the salt plains."

People can look onto the salt plains and may see bison, moose, birds and possibly whooping cranes.

The incident is under investigation by park wardens in co-operation with the RCMP detachment in Fort Chipewyan since the overlook is on the Alberta side of the border.

While vandalism is rare in Wood Buffalo National Park, Keizer noted someone stole a viewing scope a couple of years ago, but didn't smash things while doing so.

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