Fernie is renowned worldwide for its mountain bike trails, attracting tourists and new residents alike. It’s an official bike town and a sought-after destination, making it a summer haven for mountain bikers, hikers, and trail runners. Fernie boasts over 300 kilometers of trails, predominantly built for bikers, who also make up the majority of trail users. However, these trails also serve as crucial pathways for wildlife in the region.
Dr. Clayton Lamb, a local wildlife scientist, has been investigating the impact of mountain biking on wildlife in the Elk Valley for the past three years. His research involves 29 motion-activated cameras placed on various types of trails, including roads, mountain bike trails, and wildlife trails. These cameras have captured 1.7 million photos and 200,000 individual wildlife detections.
Dr. Lamb deploying a trail camera: Tourism Fernie pic
In mid-June, Dr. Lamb presented his preliminary findings at Wildsight’s Fernie Wild Spaces event. His research indicates that wildlife, particularly elk and whitetail deer, alter their trail usage in response to human activities. While many species showed a preference for roads and wildlife trails, they were still frequently observed on mountain bike trails, sometimes in close proximity to bikers. The most negative responses were noted towards motorized trail users, with hikers and bikers causing fewer disturbances.
Dr. Lamb also conducted a pilot study on the TransRockies Race, funded by the Tourism Fernie sustainability initiative. The race significantly increased the number of bikers on the trails, yet did not result in a strong adverse reaction from wildlife, such as vacating the area for extended periods. While there may be a mild response indicated by a potential reduction in detection rates, the current data is insufficient for definitive conclusions.
Despite these findings, the variability in responses among different species and recreation types poses a challenge for landscape managers. More research is needed to develop effective management strategies that balance recreational use with wildlife conservation.
Local recreation and tourism groups are actively gathering detailed information about human-wildlife interactions to make informed decisions. As Fernie continues to attract outdoor enthusiasts, understanding and mitigating the impact of these activities on wildlife will be essential to preserving the region’s natural beauty and biodiversity.
