Elk Cause More Aggressive Encounters in Canadian Parks Than Bears, Study Finds

A study published July 1 in Frontiers in Conservation Science analyzed 14 years of human-wildlife conflict data from 25 Canadian national parks and historical sites, finding that elk were responsible for 62% of aggressive encounters, far surpassing grizzly bears at 14%. Researchers Holly Landles (formerly University of York) and Shashank Balakrishna (University of York) examined nearly 3,000 incidents involving elk, black bears, grizzlies, coyotes, and mule deer. Low-disturbance activities like hiking and wildlife observation accounted for a quarter of encounters, while adventure sports made up only 4%. High-risk pairings included elk in townsite areas and mule deer with dogs. The study aims to help park managers focus safety education and signage. Parks Canada wildlife management specialist David Gummer noted common elk attack injuries include broken bones, lacerations, and concussions. The researchers recommend using whistles, hiking in large groups, keeping dogs on short leashes, and paying attention to trail signage.