Wildlife photographer helps rescue trapped elk in Prince Albert National Park

Avid wildlife photographer Rod Young knows his subject well, especially the bull elk in Prince Albert National Park.

In early October, he noticed that one of the bull elk was in distress.

“That particular bull, he was hanging out there for quite some time, so I photographed him two or three different times. And that day he was actually hanging out with some type of net or cargo net. It might have been someone’s hammock,” Young said.

He took some photographs and a short video of the animal and then immediately notified Parks Canada staff of the elk’s entrapment.

“I don’t really know what it was, but he was really confused and quite stressed and quite tired and obviously quite angry and irritable,” Young said.

Acting Resource Conservation Manager Tom Perry said Parks Canada resource conservation staff captured the elk on Wilderness Road, where they were able to shoot a tranquilizing agent into the elk’s hide.

“Once the elk was down and it was safe to approach him, we were able to cut the net and free the elk,” Perry said.

He said the elk remained down for about 40 minutes. During that time, staff monitored his heart rate and vital signs. Once he started coming, they stood back and waited for him to get up and walk away.

Perry said that 10 days later, on Oct. 18, park staff had to rescue another bull elk that had become stuck in a fence. He said it is their job as wildlife professionals to be able to respond to crisis situations and prevent them from happening in the future.

“These things can be really stressful for the animal and often result in the animal dying,” Perry said.

He said snow fences, ropes, nets to cover gardens and trees, trampoline nets and swing sets are some of the materials that pose a threat to wildlife.

“We encourage people not to take these items, clean them or use them if not necessary,” he said.

Young said he was pleased to learn that within hours of reporting the elk, the bull was freed from the trap.

Young said, “I’ve seen elk entangled before, but not like this. This is as bad as it gets.”

Perry said the Waskesiu Townsite is a unique place where a herd of 60 to 80 elk frequent the town and are often seen grazing on the Red Deer Campground, Waskesiu Golf Course and cabin owner’s lawns.

“Wildlife are part of the landscape. They’re part of Waskesiu,” Perry said. “We remind people that we share this space and (animals) are part of this broader community.”

He said that people have to learn to live with wildlife and give them their space. He recommends staying 30 meters or three bus distances from wild animals, including elk.

He said the elk are in the final stages of mating season, which typically runs Sept. 1-30.

“In the fall, bull elk can be quite aggressive and they can be dangerous… they want to keep everything away from their females,” Perry said.

He said Parks Canada encourages wildlife viewing and photography but advises people not to approach wildlife.