Relative Risk and Variables Associated with Bear and Ungulate Mortalities Along a Railroad in the Canadian Rocky Mountains

Train-wildlife collisions along the Canadian Pacific Railroad (CPR) through Banff and Yoho National Parks pose significant risks to wildlife populations, particularly for elk, deer, American black bears, and grizzly bears. The study identified hotspots and high relative risk locations where strikes exceeded expected levels based on wildlife abundance, revealing that train speed limits were positively correlated with strikes for elk and deer, while the presence of structures like overpasses, tunnels, and bridges increased strike risks for bears. These findings highlight critical areas for targeted management interventions, including speed reductions and railroad design modifications, to mitigate wildlife mortalities and associated ecological impacts.

Dorsey, B. P., Clevenger, A., & Rew, L. J. (2017). Relative Risk and Variables Associated with Bear and Ungulate Mortalities Along a Railroad in the Canadian Rocky Mountains. Railway Ecology, 135–155. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-57496-7_9