Elk Information
Sudbury Elk Herd - Status Report 2006
Even though the elk
restoration project has not captured the attention of the media to the
extent that it did during the early years of the program, scientific
effort to monitor and assist the herds in adapting to their new
environment continues. Each of 30 remaining collared animal is
monitored monthly and aerial surveys are conducted to assess the
animals’ health, movement and annual recruitment.
Generally, the elk are
adapting well. The early dispersal patterns that were observed in the
first few years after their arrival have ended. Most of the animals have
now settled in and are displaying seasonal displacement patterns within
well-defined ranges. Fecundity is estimated at 85% and annual
recruitment in years when the winters are not too difficult is
approximately 10%. Currently, there are approximately 80-90 animals in
the Burwash population and approximately 20-30 in the lower French River
region.
Previous winters have
been reasonably mild and calves have fared well. This winter, to
nobody’s surprise, was more difficult due to the excessive snow depths
and subsequent poor ice conditions. An above average number of animals
have drowned and were killed by trains. Our assessment for this year is
that any new recruitment has been offset by higher winter mortality.
Hopefully, next winter will be better and the growing population trend
will return. In the next few months, the Sudbury Elk Restoration
Committee will be developing an action plan to significantly reduce
mortality caused by train collisions.
Good quality summer
pastures are critical for elk. Good nutrition in the summer and fall
provides them with abundant energy reserves to make it through the
winter. Thanks to the commitment of the Ontario Ministry of Natural
Resources’ fire protection unit, more of the Burwash land is scheduled
for prescribed burns to enhance the quality of elk forage.
And of course, because
of your support, we will continue to monitor and keep you informed.
- Josef Hamr, Ivan
Fillion, and Mike Hall
Sudbury Elk
Restoration