Human-wildlife conflict

The goal of human-wildlife conflict management is to protect both humans and wildlife by eliminating negative interactions. To accomplish this, a combination of proactive and reactive management actions are taken. Proactive management involves educating the public on how to safely coexist with wildlife, monitoring wildlife movement, and minimizing animal attractants. Reactive management is the response to an incident. Reactive management could include hazing, trapping, relocating and in worst case scenarios destroying an animal.

With so many wild animals in close proximity to humans, a proactive approach may be taken, such as closing trails and certain areas if wildlife are found to be aggressive. Hazing is also proven to be effective in handling aggressive animals. This is when visual, audible, and in extreme cases pain stimuli, are used to provoke movement of animals away from high traffic visitor areas. Trapping and relocating wildlife to areas with low amount of visitors can also occur, depending on the circumstances.

If you see a wildlife displaying abnormal behaviour or feel threatened by wildlife in Elk Island National Park contact Parks Canada’s emergency dispatch.

1-877-852-3100

Learn more about bison and bear safety in Elk Island National Park.