A new study revealed that elk were involved in 62 percent of aggressive wildlife incidents in Canadian national parks between 2010 and 2023. The research, published on July 2 in Frontiers in Conservation Science, analyzed 2,878 such incidents over the 13-year period.

The study, conducted by Holly Landles and Shashank Balakrishna of the University of York, defined aggressive behaviors as chasing, attacking, or bluffing a charge. The analysis included incidents involving black bears, grizzly bears, elk, coyotes, and mule deer. Elk participation rose to 84 percent in incidents that occurred specifically at campgrounds.

Grizzly bears accounted for 14 percent of the total aggressive incidents, while black bears were involved in 13 percent. Aggressive encounters with grizzly and black bears were most frequent during activities such as hiking or wildlife watching. Mule deer incidents were most often provoked by encounters with dogs.

Landes stated, "By identifying situations where a potential conflict scenario is more likely, we can help visitors make informed decisions that improve safety whilst also reducing unnecessary disturbance to wildlife." Balakrishna noted that "Elk are herbivorous herd animals that don't immediately inspire fear like a carnivore does." Landles added, "Our findings highlight the importance of visitors being well informed and seeking advice from park staff when they are uncertain."

Why It Matters

This study provides data on human-wildlife interactions in Canadian national parks, detailing the prevalence of aggressive incidents involving different animal species. The findings quantify the involvement of elk in these events, particularly in campground settings, and also differentiate the circumstances surrounding encounters with bears and mule deer. The research offers information for park visitors regarding wildlife safety and visitor conduct.