The major concern is that Plains bison established in Banff National Park will get out of the park and spread disease to cattle
LETHBRIDGE — A plan to release bison into Banff National Park next year has beef producers worried the great beasts could roam further than the park gates. Thirty to 50 Plains bison from Elk Island National Park near Edmonton are moving to Banff, where they will be located on the northeast side of the Cascade […] Read moreTag Archives Wildlife — page 2
Listening to rhythms of the Earth
Researcher plants hundreds of microphones to eavesdrop on animal activity and other interactions in the environment
An Alberta researcher is listening for climate change. However, instead of standing beside a field in the hopes of seeing and hearing a bird, Erin Bayne has mounted hundreds of computerized microphones around Alberta to listen to wildlife year round. “There are all kinds of animals that make sounds at all times of the year. […] Read more
Power lines form ‘gauntlet’ for birds: biologist
Biologists are particularly concerned about a new line that is just about ready to be activated near a popular Alberta lake
Bird watchers flock to Frank Lake to observe some of the 194 different birds species that have been identified there. The lake, six kilometres east of High River, Alta., is one of the 597 designated important bird areas of Canada, and at this time of year is a staging site for migrating trumpeter and tundra […] Read more
Wolf culling test in Sask. produces few results
Despite demands from cattle producers to kill wolves to protect cattle, studies show it doesn’t always work
About six weeks are left in a wolf pilot project in northeastern Saskatchewan to determine if culling will reduce livestock losses. So far, the results aren’t positive. “Some of the objectives are to actually find out whether a project of this sort works,” said Mike Gollop of the province’s environment ministry. The fur and problem […] Read more
Groups want return of wild buffalo
It is said that buffalo herds on North America’s Great Plains were once so large that it could take seven hours for one of them to pass. Today there are about 20,000 wild buffalo, but a multi-nation treaty signed by Canadian and U.S. Indian bands last month affirms First Nations’ desire to restore free-range buffalo […] Read more
Ask BirdGenie app who sings that song
Help for novice bird watchers | App records bird’s song and gives three likely answers
When birder Charlotte Wasylik walks out of her house near Vermilion, Alta., she can identify almost all of the birds singing, squawking and tweeting around the farm. However, non-birders can only wish for Wasylik’s trained ear when they’re sitting in the backyard or walking through the bushes listening to the birds. There is help for […] Read more
Research reveals strong memory in hummingbirds
Mind muscle | Hummingbirds can recall feeder and flower locations
A hummingbird’s brain is 7,000 times smaller than that of a human, but the tiny, mighty bird can memorize flower locations, encode geometry and track the passage of time. Many humans can’t do as well. So says University of Lethbridge researcher Andy Hurly, who talked about the big brains and big memories of hummingbirds during […] Read more
More producer input into wildlife damage sought
AIRDRIE, Alta. — An Alberta wildlife damages survey deadline has been extended to March 31. Alberta Beef Producers is working with the Miistakis Institute at Mount Royal University in Calgary to gain a better understanding of the extent and costs of wildlife on a regional and provincial scale. The survey hopes to assess populations and […] Read more
Military solution creates farm problem
Elk invasion | Producers concerned about roaming herds of elk that cause damage to farmland surrounding CFB Suffield
A decision to replace wild horses with wild elk at Canadian Forces Base Suffield in southern Alberta has turned into a disaster similar to introducing rabbits to Australia. With no control plan, the 221 original elk transplanted to the base 20 years ago are now estimated to number 4,500 to 5,000, and the population doubles […] Read more
Wildlife damage an ongoing issue
Cattle producers pass resolution | Deer, elk and wolves pressure grasslands and cattle herds
VERNON, B.C. — Doug Fossen used to think it was a treat to see an occasional elk crossing his range in the southern interior of British Columbia. Not anymore. “We are getting herds of 50 or 60,” he said. Exploding populations of deer, elk and predators are driving B.C. ranchers to distraction as they fight […] Read more
