Overview
- A peer‑reviewed analysis published Thursday used Parks Canada incident reports from 2010–2023 and found elk were involved in about 62 percent of roughly 2,900–3,500 recorded aggressive human–wildlife incidents.
- The study shows risk depends on what visitors are doing, with quiet, low‑impact activities such as hiking and wildlife watching linked to the largest share of encounters for multiple species.
- Specific high‑risk pairings emerged, including elk in townsites and campgrounds (elk appeared in about 84 percent of campground incidents) and mule deer provoked most often during dog‑walking.
- Authors recommended clear, practical steps for visitors and managers: make noise on trails, hike in groups, carry whistles, keep dogs on short leashes, and use targeted signage and dynamic trail notices at known hotspots.
- The analysis relies only on incidents reported to park staff and lacked details such as animal sex or group size, so researchers say the findings should guide focused education and better reporting rather than be read as causal proof.