Railways are a significant threat to connectivity in the Yellowstone to Yukon region.  Similar to major roads, railways run east to west. This forces wildlife, which tend to move on a north-south axis, to cross the tracks – making them vulnerable to being hit by trains.

From Banff, Jasper, Yoho, and Kootenay National Parks to the Crowsnest Pass and Montana’s South Glacier Corridor, railways have been implicated as a barrier to movement and a major source of wildlife mortality. In Banff and Jasper in particular, grain spills attract wildlife to the tracks, increasing their likelihood of being struck by a train, and being injured or killed.

Interestingly, railway companies may be able to provide helpful information about wildlife movement. Y2Y and our partners are supporting efforts to identify and implement workable solutions. In 2007, for example, Y2Y funded the Great Northern Environmental Stewardship Area, a partnership of private landowners, citizens, businesses, corporations, and government which is working with Burlington-Northern-Santa Fe Railway staff to map wildlife crossing areas.

In January of 2008, Y2Y, the Miistakis Institute for the Rockies, Wildlife Conservation Society, and Western Transportation Institute hosted a workshop which focused on the Crowsnest Pass and Elk Valley areas along Highway 3. Canadian Pacific Railway staff attended the workshop and provided information on their efforts to monitor wildlife use and mortality through this part of the region. As a result of this workshop, Miistakis is continuing to work with CP Rail to address this issue.

Much remains to be done to reduce the impacts of railways on wildlife movement and mortality, and Y2Y  will continue to encourage railway companies to partner with other stakeholders to find innovative solutions.