Bulletins

Parks Canada is encouraging visitors to slow down for wildlife, visitor, and staff safety at Elk Island National Park.  This summer, Elk Island National Park is introducing traffic calming management measures at the South Entry Kiosks and the Administration Road.  These measures include installing traffic calming speed bumps and signage all to make roads safer for wildlife (and people!).

Why does the park need traffic calming measures?

More Canadians than ever are coming to Elk Island National Park to take advantage of all that nature has to offer and get together with family and friends.  This has meant a lot more vehicles entering the Park and vehicles using Administration Road.  With some visitors so eager to get to their destination that parks staff are seeing increased road speeds and motorcycles racing on Administration Road.  Since 2020, 6 bison have been struck and killed by vehicles in Elk Island National Park.

What can visitors do to help?

Parks Canada reminds visitors to give wildlife the space they need.  We ask that visitors obey all posted signs including speed, closures, and warning signs.  Bison and other wildlife that are comfortable around people and places like roadsides are at greater risk of being struck by a vehicle. Bison are especially difficult to see at night and are known to stand in the middle of the road.  Be extra vigilant with increased traffic, cyclists on the road, and changes in weather.

All visitors to Elk Island National Park should:

· Slow down, keep your eyes on the road, and obey the posted speed limits.

· Stay in motor vehicles and not exit them within 100 meters of bison.

· Do not stop and stare at bears.  If a bear is beside the road, do not stop.

If you do see injured or deceased wildlife along the roadway, please contact Parks Canada Dispatch at 1-877-852-3100 as soon as possible. Let them know the exact location of the animal, type and colour, if it has young, and if it has identifiers such as a collar.

Parks Canada greatly appreciates your help and cooperation in keeping roadways, visitors, staff and wildlife safe.

Inquiries:

For more information, please call 780-922-5790.