Elk youth jousting

Two young males are practicing their skills on each other.

The wildlife in Banff National Park, as well as in other places where human presence is growing, is adapting to the changing circumstances. These elk for example spend a good deal of their time close to, or even within town limits. This little push and shove (it looks tougher than it was) took place on the Banff golf course for example. The elk do not only find a lot of lush green in town (they regularly enter gardens and eat the plants so lovingly planted by the owner), but in this manner they also escape predators. Wolves, cougars and bears are more shy than the herbivores and will not soon follow so close to human population (though it does happen). This 'urbanisation' of wildlife will have quite some consequences for developments in the ecosystems. An article about this issue will be forthcoming!

Image number: AWMC2432