Six weeks after being struck by a vehicle in Canmore, a second bull elk has died.
The large male succumbed to injuries 10 days ago, and the necropsy revealed he had broken ribs and an infection on the side of his brain.
“His injuries were less severe than the other one,” said Fish and Wildlife officer Dave Dickson. “His injuries were on their way to healing, but the infection on the side of the brain was from fighting during the rut. That wasn’t healing. He got so weak, he laid down and couldn’t get up.”
Wildlife officials caution motorists to be aware of wildlife around Canmore, as the car accident cost the Bow Valley two mature bulls. Other bulls will take their place, Dickson said, noting there are several young male elk reaching mating age in the area.
The two elk were originally hit by a vehicle before Christmas. The first male elk had to be euthanised in Silvertip after he could not recover from his injuries. The second elk was healing from blunt trauma injuries, but coupled with the brain infection proved to be too much. That elk also got caught in a fence in Canmore for more than 24 hours.
Bow Valley WildSmart program director Kim Titchener said the incident illustrated why motorists should watch for wildlife.
“People need to slow down. The entire highway is not fenced and a lot of people don’t realize that,” Titchener said. “People in Canmore got to experience what it’s like when animals are hit.”
Large sections of the Trans-Canada Highway are not fenced, including sections near Dead Man’s Flats. A large section by Harvie Heights and Palliser Village near Canmore are also unfenced. Titchener said elk and deer are hit often in the area.
“It’s just a bloodbath out there,” Titchener said.
