Effects of traffic on elk movement near roads in Glacier National Park
Bodri K. 2022. Effects of traffic on elk movement near roads in Glacier National Park. University of Montana
This study was designed to understand how traffic volume affects elk movement near roads. Under the unfortunate circumstance of Covid-19, a unique opportunity to study wildlife near two different roads with a 99% traffic volume difference over two years was presented. Detections of elk presence within 20-30 yards of a road (up to 450 yards in some areas) were highest in October, when traffic volume significantly decreased. September and October are when elk typically rut, exhibiting increased movement and activity. Elk movement was highest during crepuscular times of day, as detections were typically in the morning, evening, or at night as elk moved to bedding and feeding areas. Akaike Information Criterion weights with camera location as a random effect for eight models determined that the model containing vehicles, time of day, and rut was the most parsimonious model. Although vehicles had the largest effect on elk movement within this model, traffic may have only influenced the time of day elk move near roads to bedding or feeding areas. The roads did not prevent elk movement to and from these areas.