Media Information
Hearing the Call of the Wild
By Scott Haddow, Northern Life
scott@northernlife.ca,
It’s early morning in the wilderness around Burwash and the
unmistakable, thundering bugle of a massive 1,000-pound bull elk pierces
through the fog.
The
sound is music to the ears of the dedicated people involved with the
Sudbury Elk Restoration project because it’s the sound of success.
Initiated in 1993, the project has grown, slowly but surely, since some
40 new elk were reintroduced to Burwash in 1998. (More animals were
released over the years as well.)
The
project has completed Phase 1, which was to acquire a local elk herd.
Now, it’s in Phase 2, which is all about improving the habitat for the
rugged animals.
“We
are looking at major causes of mortalities and working to reduce those
causes,” said project scientist Ivan Filion. “We’ve just created a new
local committee to co-ordinate this phase. It has given itself a 10-year
timeline to carry out those functions.”
Improving the habitat means concentrating on food sources for the elk.
“We
conduct periodic, controlled burns in fields to get rid of layers of
dead grass that inhibits the growth of good forage,” said Mike Hall,
area biologist with the MNR. “We try to maintain a grassland habitat.”
Having the right food sources is vital to the elk’s survival.
“There’s three critical food sources for elk,” said Josef Hamr, director
of Northern Environmental Heritage Institute at Cambrian College.
“There’s grass, mast (acorns and nuts) and winter browse (twigs, buds
and fresh shoots of cedar and red maple trees). Whatever can be done to
stimulate these sources will improve the habitat for elk.”
The
three sources help elk get through the harsh northern winter climate,
which can be deadly to animals in the wilderness.
“If
they have high quality grazing opportunities, it prepares the elk for
the tough winters,” said Filion. “It gives them insurance to get through
the tough months of winter when food is scarce. The better they feed in
the summer, the better their bodies are for the winter hardship.”
Project leaders fly over the herds in early winter (late December or
early January) to count the number of calves associated with cows for an
update on the ratio. They then fly over the herds again in late March
and recount the calves/cows ratio. It provides a scope of just how the
herd is growing and surviving.
“The ones that are still alive at the end of March are unlikely to die
before the next season...and are the annual addition to the population,”
said Hamr. “The growth goes up and down. We had some bad years in the
beginning, but from 2003, the numbers have increased steadily. Last
year, 50 percent of the cows had their calves at the end of winter.”
In
Burwash, the herd is estimated to be between 80 to 100 animals. Around
Killarney, estimates have been pegged at between 30 to 40 elk.
“In
Sudbury, before we started, the herd was estimated to be between 20 to
30 animals,” said Filion. “There’s no doubt the elk is back.”
Hamr says the ideal number for this area would be around 500.
Having a flourishing elk herd is part of the big picture of re-greening
and environmental rehabilitation.
“It
just part of the reclamation project of
Sudbury
and stimulates people’s interest in the environment as a whole,” said
Nels Conroy, co-chair of the Elk Restoration Fundraising Committee.
The
elk’s presence has really shown up on the MNR radar, as they field calls
all the time about sightings.
“We
get sighting reports and they’re always positive,” said Hall. “The
people talk about how it’s a real treat to see these animals.”
Because the elk is the most vocal of the deer family and have such
natural beauty, an eco-tourism market could be forged.
“When you see elk, you see many at one time,” said Filion. “In the fall
they’re very vocal with their bugling. That’s the attributes that makes
the animals so attractive to wildlife enthusiasts...There’s great
potential.”
Sudbury should feel honoured for being part of a successful wildlife
project of this magnitude.
“The people here should be proud of what’s occurred,” said Filion. “It’s
been one of the most ambitious large mammal restoration projects in the
history of Ontario and it’s been a success.”
The
Sudbury Elk Restoration organization will hold its 10th anniversary
fundraiser gala at the Caruso Club on Thursday, April 20. There are many
prizes to be won and bid on, including a coveted trip for a close
encounter with a majestic bull elk.
Sudbury Elk
Restoration