PARKS CANADA has found that both Wolves and Elk are sensitive to human activity and avoided getting too near to trails that are used by more than 2 people an hour...........Elk took advantage of the adjacent trail habitat when human use was less, thus provideing them with some refuge from Wolves..............Similar findings have also come out of Yellowstone Park

Where wolves fear to tread: elk share lightly used mountain park trails

An elk is pictured in this undated handout photo, by the side of a road while cars and trucks pass by. A new study suggests elk in Canada's mountain parks are cozying up to some hiking trails to avoid predators such as wolves.

CALGARY - A study suggests elk in Canada's mountain parks are cosying up to lightly used hiking trails to avoid predators such as wolves. The University of Calgary study looked at how human activity is changing animal behaviour in Banff, Kootenay and Yoho national parks.The findings show it may be beneficial to some animals for Parks Canada to limit how many people use trails that run through quality wildlife habitat such as valley bottoms.

"The challenge of parks and reserves is finding a balance between long-term ecological integrity and providing visitors with quality experiences and learning opportunities," researcher Kimo Rogala said Thursday."This research increases understanding of how humans impact the national park landscape and provides a tool for park staff to better manage sensitive areas such as wildlife corridors and primary habitat."

The study, partly funded by Parks Canada, is published in the journal Ecology and Society. It looked at how wolves and elk reacted to how frequently people used certain trails.It found that both species were highly sensitive to human activity and tended to avoid getting too near trails that are used by more than two people an hour. It also found that when use was less than that, the elk were willing to use areas near the trails but the wolves are not, creating a refuge zone for the elk.

The study's findings support previous research that shows high human activity can interfere with natural interaction between predators and prey.Researchers also suggest that when such interference happens it can have a negative effect on other animal species.