Vancouver Island farmers struggle to deal with threatened elk species
Farmers in the Cowichan Valley are losing crops and dealing with property and field damage caused by Roosevelt Elk, which have become a regular fixture on some farms in the area.
The threatened species typically moves to lower elevations during the winter months searching for more plentiful food, but in the last few years, in the Duncan area, some herds have been staying year-round on farmland.
In North Oyster, where Howie Davis has farmed cattle for more than 50 years, a herd of 12 elk showed up in December four years ago. Fortunately for him, they've so far always left by February or March.
"The herds are expanding every year," said Davis.
In the few months the elk are on the farm, Davis said they cause a lot of damage, knocking down fences, tearing the hay fields up with their hooves and eating whatever hay is growing over the winter "right down to nothing."
The elk damage to the hay fields has reduced the number of harvests from four to three in a season, said Davis.
"That’s one crop you don’t get to sell, less income," he said. "[The provincial government has] been compensating me for that … not to what it costs."
A University of Alberta research project intended to reduce human-elk conflict in the Cowichan Valley started in August 2021.
The team has set up multiple trail cameras in the valley to gather data on the herds' numbers and movements.
"To implement any sort of management strategies we need to have a good understanding of what’s happening with the population, how many are there, where are they on the landscape and how are they interacting with human infrastructure?" said Kate Rutherford, a masters student at the University of Alberta.
Rutherford says the provincial government has put a lot of effort into increasing the elk herds in the Cowichan Valley to create a healthy, sustainable population, which seems to have paid off.
"Everyone wants the population to be at healthy levels," she said.
"There’s also that balance, right, with maintaining a healthy population size but also minimizing the occurrence of human-elk conflict, which is going to increase as urbanization increases," she added.
Researchers are also planning to test deterrents to keep elk out of farms.
"We plan to broadcast predator vocalization on the perimeter of these fields where we’re currently monitoring elk using camera traps, and they will be broadcasted when triggered by animal movement," said Rutherford.
The team is also asking landowners in the area to contribute to their research by reporting elk sightings to them either through the iNaturalist app or by emailing the team directly at rooselk@ualberta.ca
The researchers hope to share their work with farmers and the provincial government as way to help with the management of Roosevelt Elk.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Pearson gold heist suspect arrested after flying into Toronto from India
Another suspect is in custody in connection with the gold heist at Toronto Pearson International Airport last year, police say.
BREAKING Justin and Hailey Bieber are expecting their first child together
Hailey and Justin Bieber are going to be parents. The couple announced the news on Thursday on Instagram, both sharing a video that showcases Hailey Bieber's growing belly.
From outer space? Sask. farmers baffled after discovering strange wreckage in field
A family of fifth generation farmers from Ituna, Sask. are trying to find answers after discovering several strange objects lying on their land.
Poilievre-led government 'would never' use notwithstanding clause on abortion, his office says
A Conservative government led by Pierre Poilievre would not legislate on, nor use the notwithstanding clause, on abortion, his office says, as anti-abortion protesters gather on Parliament Hill.
Ontario family receives massive hospital bill as part of LTC law, refuses to pay
A southwestern Ontario woman has received an $8,400 bill from a hospital in Windsor, Ont., after she refused to put her mother in a nursing home she hated -- and she says she has no intention of paying it.
Here are the ultraprocessed foods you most need to avoid, according to a 30-year study
Studies have shown that ultraprocessed foods can have a detrimental impact on health. But 30 years of research show they don’t all have the same impact.
Miss Teen USA steps down just days after Miss USA's resignation
Miss Teen USA resigned Wednesday, sending further shock waves through the pageant community just days after Miss USA said she would relinquish her crown.
BREAKING 1 dead in rollover crash in Sharbot Lake, Ont.; 5 others injured
Ontario Provincial Police confirm one person has died after a single-vehicle rollover crash in Sharbot Lake, Ont. that seriously injured five others.
Cyclist strikes child crossing the street to catch school bus in Montreal
A video circulating on social media of a young girl being hit by a bike has some calling for better safety and more caution when designing bike lanes in the city. The video shows a four-year-old girl crossing Jeanne-Mance Street in Montreal's Plateau neighbourhood to get on a school bus stopped on the opposite side of the street