Elk calving, bears in the valley, and coyote denning
鈥淭here I was, lost in my thoughts, enjoying a spring jog on newly dry trails, when I looked up to see a cow elk glaring at me and grinding her teeth. I was way too close and it鈥檚 calving season right now!鈥� Don鈥檛 let this happen to you. Elk need their space and can be aggressive at any time of year, but right now, expectant and new moms alike are especially combative. (You might be too, if you had predators looking for you and your young.)
Here in the Rockies, elk calves can arrive as early as the middle of May. The calving season generally lasts until the end of June. During this time, more than ever, be aware of your surroundings when out and about. Avoid elk and stay 30 metres away from them, keep children close and dogs on a leash (as always in a national park), and carry a walking stick or pepper spray. Watch for single cow elk鈥攖hey could be staking out a calving spot or have had a calf already, and won鈥檛 re-join the herd until the calf is at least 10 days old.
You鈥檒l have a pretty good idea that a cow elk is feeling hostile when you see her staring at you, flattening her ears, grinding her teeth, curling her lips or raising her rump hair. You are in danger when she circles or follows you, or begins charging or kicking. If you do encounter an elk too closely, seek protection behind a tree or vehicle, raise your arms or flap a jacket to make yourself look bigger, and move away while maintaining eye contact. Never turn your back and run, and always try to stay on higher ground than the elk. Aggressively defend yourself if you are approached using whatever means possible (sticks, stones, etc).
Parks Canada staff often move newborn calves and their moms from around campgrounds and lodge areas by carrying the calf while the mom follows. Mom and calf are then reunited in a safe location. To further help ensure the safety of residents and visitors, and to minimize disturbance to cows while they have their calves, Parks Canada implements trail closures in key locations. Please check for the most recent closures and conditions at www.pc.gc.ca/jasper or call the Information Centre at 780-852-6176.
Bears in the valley
For bears, the only 鈥済reen鈥� gig in the park right now is in the valley bottom. The spring green-up of grasses and leaves attracts bears to lower elevations in search of this early food source. This year, the black bears have beaten the grizzly bears to the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge golf course, but Resource Conservation staff don鈥檛 expect this situation to last long. Bear number one (a collared sow) has returned with two young-of-the-year cubs, and another cinnamon coloured sow is also working the valley bottom with two young-of-the-year cubs (about the size of a cat right now). All bears seem happy and healthy so far.
Because of the concentration of bears in the area, along with poor sightlines, Parks Canada has implemented a temporary area closure for Trail 7 along the south and east borders of the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge golf course. This is for hikers and cyclists.
Coyotes are denning
By this time of year, coyote pups have usually just been born and are living in the dens that mom dug out. Dens are often on the banks of a stream or other water body in a well concealed spot. The pups will soon begin to romp around inside then outside the shelter.
During denning, adult coyotes can become aggressive to people with dogs. Make sure to always keep your dog on a leash and try to avoid any known denning areas, such as Lake Edith. Please call Jasper Dispatch at 780-852-6155, if you have an encounter.
