WARNING: This story contains content some readers may find disturbing. Discretion is strongly advised.
An unofficial gopher playground downtown is filling up with the dead bodies of Richardson’s Ground Squirrels.
Many Calgarians go down to the area owned by Bow Valley College to watch and feed the little animals, but some people believe that someone has been trying to kill the rodents off.
The college admits to trying to humanely control the population in the past, but told Global News it is not currently involved in any eradication campaigns in the area.
Larry Moen, a visitor to the park, said he saw one of the animals die.
“It’s kind of sad to see them being in pain and hurting like that. But the animal was actually dying. He was gasping for breath.”
The city, Calgary police and the Calgary Humane Society are investigating.