More elk moving into Banff

The number of elk throughout the Bow Valley appears to be declining even though increasing numbers of them are moving closer to the Banff townsite in search of a safe haven from predators.

Parks Canada's annual spring count last week has raised a caution flag about the potential for environmental damage associated with overgrazing by the ungulates and more dangerous encounters with people.

Jesse Whittington, a wildlife biologist with Banff National Park, said the elk are likely moving closer to town to seek safe areas from predators, particularly wolves whose numbers are seven in the Bow Valley pack and as high as 10 in the Cascade pack.

"We found fewer elk east and west of town compared to last year. Perhaps some of those elk moved into the townsite area," he said.

"What we appear to have is a distribution issue. We'd like to see these elk spread out throughout the Bow Valley, especially in the summer."

The roadside survey conducted by park crews last week puts the number of elk at 215, while last month's aerial survey counted 220. That compares to 204 elk around the townsite this time last year.

In the broader Bow Valley of Banff National Park, there are an estimated 254 elk compared to last spring's count of 288.

At present, the elk population is well above the winter threshold of 100 individuals near the townsite as outlined in Parks Canada's elk management strategy. The target for the broader Bow Valley is between 150 to 350 individuals.

Town of Banff officials say they trust Parks Canada's expertise in making sure the tourist town does not return to the situation of the 1990s when elk numbers were as high several hundred and overly aggressive animals attacked people.

"We certainly look to Parks Canada for their expertise in the management of this issue," said Mayor John Stutz.

"They have proven to be very successful in the past and I have every expectation that they will be able to manage this appropriately."

Whittington said he was surprised the number of elk around town increased this year, particularly given 20 habituated elk were destroyed over the winter, a high number of elk were killed by trains and there were low birth rates.

He said the calf-to-cow ratio was very low, at around eight per cent, and much lower than that observed last fall when it sat at just 16 per cent. Only two other surveys in the last 22 years had lower calf-cow ratios.

Elk populations are generally thought to be stable or increasing if the spring calf-cow ratio is greater than or equal to 14 per cent. Banff has historically averaged

22 per cent.

Whittington said he did not believe the presence of a new stomach parasite, previously found in Europe and now detected in some of Banff's elk, has much to do with this.

"Most of the cows were in excellent condition this winter, so it's unlikely, but we can't say for sure. We're going to further monitor the distribution of the parasite this summer," he said.

"We've also noticed elk in the northern part of Banff also have lower calf-cow ratios. Last June, we had heavy snowfalls, which may have affected the calf survival rates. If we see continued low calf-cow rations this summer, then we'll be concerned."

Whittington said dog handler John Zehnder will arrive in Banff within the next few weeks with his border collies to herd elk out of the townsite areas so they are not calving in areas where there are lots of people.

He said spring calving season gets underway mid-May to the end of June.

"Cow elk can be especially

aggressive towards people when protecting their calves so we're asking people to keep their distance, at least three bus lengths away from elk," he said.

Whittington said particularly aggressive elk may be destroyed this summer; otherwise they will be marked for removal later in the winter. Parks will also continue with aversive conditioning as recommended by the montane advisory group.

As well, he said, fences will be set up at highway underpasses

again next winter to hold elk on the north side of the highway in the Cascade corridor and human activity will be minimized in wildlife corridors.

"For now, we'll monitor the elk again this summer, see how many are sticking close to town and how many are going into wilder areas," he said.

"We'll update the montane advisory group throughout the summer and meet again in the fall."

Any elk sightings in the town should be reported to the Banff

warden office at 762-1470.