ScienceDaily
(Nov. 28, 2012) — University of Alberta researchers discovered that elk
are more frequently and more easily disturbed by humans such as ATV drivers
than by their natural predators like bears and wolves.
The
U of A researchers, led by biologist Simone Ciuti, spent 12 months in
southwestern Alberta. The study involved elk herds made up of females and their
offspring. The researchers observed the animals' reactions to different rates
of human disturbances in the form of traffic on nearby roads and off-road,
all-terrain vehicles.
The
elk in the study were found on a variety of land types -- public, private and
inside Waterton National Park.
The
research data showed that starting with a rate of just one vehicle passing by
an elk herd every two hours, the animals became disturbed and more vigilant. In
this state the elk consume less food, which can affect their health and
possibly their calving success.
The
researchers found that the highest level of disturbance happened on public
lands where the effect of hunting and ATV use was cumulative.
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