Parks Canada Proactive in Managing Elk in Waskesiu

Prince Albert National Park, March 18, 2004 – Prince Albert National Park (PANP) is taking a proactive approach to managing elk in the town site (to reduce habituation) to ensure the safety of residents, visitors and staff. In doing so, the possibility of harmful conflicts between humans and elk may be reduced.

Elk in the Waskesiu town site are attracted to the abundant food source (lawns, green spaces,etc.) available in the community where they are free from natural predators. They may be growing increasingly habituated to people, losing their natural fear of people. In addition, the number of elk in Waskesiu appears to be increasing. Consequently, the possibility of serious human injury exists due to human-elk conflict. Aggressive elk in a national park community are a serious public safety concern. High concentrations of elk popluations in national parks, such as Banff and Jasper, have lead to increased human-elk conflicts causing many serious injuries.

PANP is interested in keeping elk in the townsite and in reducing elk habituation in the town siteby conducting:
· A public education and awareness program
· Aversive conditioning on elk in the town site

This approach is based on lessons learned and best practices used in Banff and Jasper where human/elk conflicts were successfully and significantly reduced. Aversive conditioning involves the consistent application of repeated, negative stimuli. The
purpose of aversive conditioning is to restore the natural fear for humans that exists in nonhabituated elk. Tools may involve sticks with streamers, bangers, screamers, 12-guage
beanbag shells or BB guns.

The public education and awareness program is underway. Aversive conditioning on elk is
scheduled to begin in spring of 2004 and will continue throughout the duration of the summer as necessary.

For more details, interested persons should contact Carla Flaman, Communications Manager,
Prince Albert National Park, at (306) 663-4565.

Information:
Carla Flaman
Communications Manager
Prince Albert National Park
Parks Canada Agency
(306) 663-4565