Officials ponder growing elk problem
Wildlife managers in Yukon are wrestling with a good problem how to deal with an overpopulation of elk.
The animals, protected under territorial law since they were first introduced in the 1950s, are flourishing in three separate herds, from the Takhini River to Braeburn Lake north and north-west of Whitehorse.
Recent population estimates suggest there are about 300 elk roaming the area.
Rob Florkewicz, the regional biologist for the Yukon government, says the department is seeking public input on how the elk should be managed in the future.
"They seem to be growing, and occupying a lot of crown land, private land and First Nation Territory," he says. "So there are a number of players who have to sit down and say okay, do we want to hunt these, is wildlife viewing an issue, are there any concerns, they're all along the road, are there agriculture concerns, are they chasing moose away, where do we go from here?"
Florkewicz says there is no accurate count on the animals and management plans for the herds are outdated.
He says a new strategy for the herd must ensure the animals are shared fairly among all Yukon stakeholders.