Environmental Issues in Northern Ontario
Elk Restoration in Ontario
History
Prior to 1996
Once native to Ontario, elk (Cervus
elaphus) were extirpated by the late 1800's as a result of several
factors including commercial and unregulated harvesting and loss of
habitat due to human settlement activities. There have been several
attempts to restore elk to the province, the most recent being in the
1930’s and 1940’s. Unfortunately, this last initiative was abandoned and
most of the animals subsequently killed due to unfounded concerns that
they were passing a parasite (giant liver fluke) on to cattle. However,
two small herds of elk managed to survive in the Burwash/French River
area. In 1996 it was estimated that these two herds numbered about 60
animals in total.
Since 1996
Research in the Burwash and French River
areas led to the conclusion that the two small herds were not growing
due to periodic large mortalities caused by drownings and railway
collisions. Researchers with the support from many other organizations
recommended that additional animals be added to bolster these herds as
part of an overall elk restoration effort.
During 1996 and 1997, the elk technical
committee worked with consultants in the preparation of the Plan to
Restore Elk to Ontario. The planning exercise considered many factors
including habitat needs, population ecology, genetics, diseases and
parasites, elk/human interactions, interactions with other wildlife,
funding, benefits, logistics etc. This document was approved by MNR in
late 1997 and released as an approved document in early 1998. The Plan
identifies six broad geographic areas as being suitable for elk
restoration:
- Lake of the Woods area
- Nipissing/French River (location of
the existing Burwash and French River herds)
- Lake Huron North Shore
- Haliburton Highlands (Bancroft North
Hastings)
- Frontenac Axis
- Ottawa Valley
Source of Elk for Ontario’s Elk
Restoration Effort
Elk Island National Park near Edmonton, Alberta has been the source of
elk for Ontario’s restoration efforts. It operates one of the most
rigorous disease management programs in North America, in co-operation
with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA).
Elk Island National Park has shipped over 4,000 elk to successful
translocation projects across North America since 1937. The Park’s
boundary is completely fenced preventing the animals from dispersing
naturally and this, along with a lack of natural predators, results in a
surplus of elk to be removed annually.
Status of Restoration
To date elk have been released within four of the six areas identified
in the Plan to Restore Elk in Ontario:
- Nipissing-French River (in the Burwash/French
River area southwest of the City of Sudbury)
- Haliburton Highlands (i.e.Bancroft
North Hastings area at a site about 30 km east of the Town of
Bancroft)
- Lake of the Woods (at a site
equidistant and about 80km from the communities of Kenora, Fort
Frances and Dryden)
- Lake Huron North Shore (at a location
north of the community of Iron Bridge)
Pilot elk release 1998
The first year (1998), LNFR (Sudbury) was chosen as a pilot release area
to work out logistics and feasibility of the program; to quickly add
animals to the remnant herds and to take advantage of the local
expertise that had been developed during the initial study by Cambrian
College, Laurentian University and the Ministry of Natural Resources.
The presence of an infrastructure to support the initial research and
monitoring program was an important factor in selecting the initial
release site.
Other releases - 1999 to 2001
Between 1999 and 2001, elk were introduced to three of the other five
potential areas identified in the Plan to Restore Elk to Ontario. During
the winter of 1999/2000, the Bancroft North Hastings (Haliburton
Highlands) and Lake of the Woods areas received their first shipments of
elk. During the winter of 2000/2001, the Lake Huron North Shore area
received its first shipment of animals and supplemental shipments were
received by Bancroft North Hastings and Lake of the Woods areas. As
well, the Sudbury area received additional elk during the winters of
1999, 2000 and 2001. In total 443 animals were released during to the
four areas during this period:
Sudbury: 172
Bancroft North Hastings: 120
Lake of the Woods: 104
Lake Huron North Shore: 47
No animals were requested during the winter of 2001/02 while the Chronic
Wasting Disease risk assessment was being prepared by the Canadian
Cooperative Wildlife Disease Centre in Saskatoon. The risk assessment
stated that there was a very low risk of importing CWD into Ontario
through the shipment of elk from Elk Island National Park but suggested
a conservative approach be taken until more is known about this disease.
The Ministry of Natural Resources has subsequently decided to put any
further shipments of elk to Ontario on hold. The original plan was to
introduce between 100 and 200 animals to each area. In three of the four
areas we are within that range.
Program Review
MNR and its elk restoration partners are currentlycarrying out a five
year program review. The review will consider all aspects of the program
and will result in recommendations to the Ministry as to the future
direction of the program. This will include an assessment as to whether
further introductions of animals are required to ensure restoration
objectives.
Current Population Status
The current total Ontario elk population is estimated at 425 to 450
animals:
Sudbury: 148
Bancroft North Hastings: 135
Lake of the Woods: 90
Lake Huron North Shore: 50 to 55
