Originally published in Research Links. Parks Canada, Alberta Regional Office. #520, 220 - 4th Avenue S.E. Calgary. Phone 403- 221-3210. Email: researchlink@pkswro.dots.doe.ca

Over the past few years, a plethora of elk/human conflicts in Banff National Park has concerned park wardens, managers, residents, and tourists alike. Public complaints regarding aggressive elk in the townsite of Banff have dramatically increased, from three in 1987 to a high of 75 in 1991.

The most serious elk/human conflicts occur when elk charge at and make contact with people. Cow elk use their hooves to kick and stomp on a victim, while bulls sometimes lower their head and use their antlers as an offensive weapon. Although elk/human conflicts may occur year round, the likelihood of an elk charging and injuring someone is greatest during the spring calving season and fall rut when the elk are at the height of their aggressiveness. Camera-happy photographers or unsuspecting joggers and hikers are the most likely victims, especially when the personal space of an elk is invaded.

The increase of elk/human conflicts in Banff townsite coincided with a greater use of the area by elk. Elk may have become more abundant in the townsite for a number of reasons, including loss of valuable elk habitat to human development and the fencing of the Trans-Canada Highway; elk attraction to unnatural but highly attractive food sources, such as fertilized lawns, exotic flowers and shrubs; and the protection from wolf predation offered by the townsite (Elk Workshop, May 1992). Additionally, the potential for elk/human conflicts may have increased as a result of higher tourist visitation during the spring calving season and the fall rut. Habituation to, and loss of fear of, human presence by elk may be another contributing factor.

Presently, park wardens are addressing the elk/human public safety problem with hopes of reducing the number of incidents to below 1990 levels'less than 12 incidents and less than one injury per year. The primary management strategy the Warden Service has relied on is educating the public and making it aware of the elk hazard. This has been accomplished by posting warning signs, distributing pamphlets, placing public notices in local papers, and blitzing the media with articles as the spring calving season and fall rut approach. Wardens are also closing off problem areas to the public during the calving season and the fall rut.

Management actions against aggressive elk include identifying the problem animal and marking the offender with paint balls. Repeat offenders are aversively conditioned and discouraged from using the townsite, removed from the park, or as a last resort, destroyed.

The Warden Service is also looking at barring elk from particular areas of the park with fencing. Permanent or temporary structures would be placed at identified problem areas such as recreation grounds or school yards.

Finally, the Warden Service is encouraging the town's municipal leaders, business people, and residents to adopt landscape practices that are less attractive to elk' for example, creating rock gardens rather than manicured lawns. Additionally, habitat manipulation of park lands, such as the use of prescribed fire, will help enhance elk grazing habitat outside of the town.

However, the increasing number of elk/human incidents may be symptomatic of a larger ecological problem. The provision of long-term solutions will require a greater understanding of the complex ecological issues involved.

Carey Elverum is a park warden at Banff National Park. For further information, please call (403) 762-????.