During the period 1990-1996, concerns grew over increasing elk (Cervus canadensis) numbers in and around the town of Banff, Alberta and corresponding increases in elk/human conflict as well as declining elk numbers in the western Bow Valley 1. These concerns prompted Banff National Park to initiate the Banff Bow Valley Elk Ecology Project in 1997 2.
To assess the status of the elk population within the Bow River watershed of Banff National Park. Key elements included:
The Banff Elk Ecology Project began fieldwork in January of 1997. Wildlife Technical Services was contracted to coordinate, supervise and conduct the fieldwork from startup to completion of fieldwork in December 1999.
The Bow Valley was divided into 3 zones (eastern, central and western) and 2 distinct sub-populations (Urban and Rural) based on elk, wolves and human density and their behavior. Urban elk were habituated to human presence, utilizing the town site and its periphery. Rural elk were non-habituated; inhabit areas of the valley, east, north and west of town. Elk were found to exist in discrete sub-herd units with little or no interchange and differing rates of mortality.
In 1983, elk in all three zones had relatively similar population estimates, densities and rates of railroad and highway mortality. Wolves were not present. By 1986-87, wolf re-colonization was well under way and the TCH twinning project phase I & II had been completed.
In the eastern zone, the 1984/85 population estimate was N=139. The 1997/98 population estimate was N=72. Elk numbers began stabilizing with the completion of the highway twinning project phase I & II in 1987. However, increasing highway kills at the east end of the twinning segment fencing combined with increasing railway mortality and wolf predation from re-established packs, lead to a continued decline in elk numbers by 1995.
In the central zone (Banff town site), the1984/85 the population estimate was N=223. The 1997/98 population estimate was N=455. Elk numbers increased and highway mortality was eliminated with the completion of the highway twinning project phase I & II in 1987. Human use was highest in this zone, which excluded predators, greatly reducing predation. The result, productivity and survival rates were high corresponding with increases in elk numbers.
In the western zone, the 1984/85 the population estimate was N=411. In 1997/98 there were exactly 40 elk left. The numbers of elk have been in a constant rate of decline. Highway mortality at the west end of the twinning segment fencing remained high, railway kills continued and wolf pack kills increased into the mid 1990's.
1. Hurd, T.E. 1999. Factors limiting moose numbers and their interactions with elk and wolves in the Central Rocky Mountains, Canada. Masters Thesis. University of British Columbia. Vancouver.
2. Mckenzie, J. 2001. The Demographic and Nutritional Benefits of Urban Habitat Use by Elk. Masters Thesis. University of Guelph.