Banff elk face tough life

Fences are being built at several highway underpasses in Banff National Park in an experiment to get wolves and cougars to help control the burgeoning elk population near Banff townsite.
 
The aim of the semi-permeable wooden rail fences is to trap elk on the north side of the Trans-Canada Highway where they are likely to be hunted by carnivores.
 
Park officials say the fences will impede elk but allow wolves and cougars to use the underpasses while navigating the busy Bow Valley.

"We hope this will increase the amount of time elk spend in areas where they are more susceptible to predation from wolves and cougars," said Jesse Whittington, a wildlife specialist with Banff National Park.
 
"If the elk walk far enough east or west, they would be able to find an underpass where they can cross under the Trans-Canada Highway. But in doing so, they will travel through areas frequented by wolves and cougars."
 
The fences have not been closed as Parks Canada is waiting until after a fall elk count Wednesday and Thursday for updated numbers. Officials will also wait until all of the elk are on the north side of the highway.
 
The elk population has more than doubled in the past three years, from 93 to more than 200 around the townsite. They seek sanctuary from predators in urban areas.
 
The dramatic jump in numbers has led to fears about increased encounters between elk and people, similar to the situation in the 1980s and 1990s when habituated elk attacked tourists and locals.
 
As well, there are concerns about widespread environmental damage as a result of excessive browsing by elk.
 
The fences have been installed at five underpasses, from Vermilion Lakes to the Cascade River.
 
The middle section of the fences will be left open when the elk herds are on the south side of the highway. When the elk congregate on the north side, rails will be inserted to stop them heading toward town.
 
There are estimated to be between six and eight cougars in the lower Bow Valley. It's thought there are around 10 wolves in the Fairholme-Cascade pack and seven in the Bow Valley pack.
 
Researchers will watch how wolves and cougars behave near the fences by photographing their movements with a remote camera. They will also keep a close eye on how the fences affect elk movements by tracking radio-collared animals.
 
This short-term experiment is being done at the suggestion of a new advisory group, which includes members of the public. It is investigating a range of long-term options to deal with the rising elk population.
 
Mike McIvor, president of the Bow Valley Naturalists and a member of the group, said the fences buy some time to look at longer-term solutions.
 
"This is clearly intended to be a one-year thing and is not intended, at least in my opinion, to necessarily colour what some of the longer-term options might be, or pre-empt them," he said.
 
"Just as the birth control option hasn't been ruled out, I'm assuming that possible installation of strategic fencing hasn't been ruled out."
 
Cathy Ellis is a reporter for the Rocky Mountain Outlook
 
 
© The Calgary Herald 2007