Elk

The majority of free ranging elk in the United States, about 80%, spend all or part of the year on National Forests and grasslands, which are riddled with more than 378,000 miles of road. This limits available habitat for elk, which require roadless areas throughout their calving season. Studies show that elk distribution is largely determined by roads.

"Shifts in elk distribution away from roads used by motorized vehicles have been documented across many areas of the western United States. Such shifts may reduce carrying capacity of some areas and redistribute elk from public to private lands. Roads and associated disturbances have been presumed to be the primary agent driving elk distribution across seasons and landscapes."

Mary Rowland, 2000
Journal of Wildlife Management 64(3):672-684

Roadside vegetation attracts elk and other ungulates, drawing them close to dangerous traffic and putting them at greater risk of roadkill. From 1991 to 1999, vehicle collisions claimed 65 elk – a full 17% of the reintroduced herd in Pennsylvania.

In response to this widespread problem, biologists and engineers have teamed up for creative solutions:

  • In Canada, 8-foot high fencing was built on both sides of the Trans-Canada Highway with 22 underpasses and two overpasses. This reduced ungulate roadkill by 96 percent. A study, also done in Canada, showed a significant association between reduced speed limits and the rate of elk-vehicle collisions.
  • The Roosevelt elk of Sequim, Washington are equipped with radio transmitting collars. When the collared elk approach the highway, the collar sets off flashing warning lights on road signs with pictures of elk the message, "ELK X-ING."

Written by John Housein

Recommendations

  • Avoid further road building through quality elk habitat.
  • Reduce speed limits and display road signs to alert motorists through areas of high potential elk crossings.
  • Install wildlife underpasses under roads where roadkill statistics are high.