THE GAME ANIMALS OF CANADA 33 



can easily be slaughtered, as the valleys are very narrow, 

 and the elk, unlike sheep or goat, do not find sanctuary in 

 the higher altitudes of rugged peaks. A sanctuary of several 



Kiuare miles at the head of the White, PalUser, Spray, Kana- 

 askis, and Elk Rivers would assist in preserving these bands 

 r elk." 

 I have also received other reports of a similar encouraging 

 ature from men who have recently visited this region. 

 In his annual report for 1914, Mr. Bryan Williams, the 

 provincial game warden for British Columbia, reports on 

 e wapiti as follows: 



Reports from Vancouver Island are much more encouraging than they 



irere. Several quite big bands and a number of small ones are known of 



certain places, and these bands are larger, at any rate, than they were 



irhen the last report was written. Also calves have been reported for 



le first time for several years; so that there is good reason to believe 



lat there is an increase. Now that wolves are getting quite scarce and 



jugars hunted more and more, the calves will have a much better chance, 



id the prospects for the future are much better. 



Wapiti in southern East Kootenay are still doing well. In the north- 



^em part of the district wapiti have been reported in the western side of 



the Columbia. This is the first time such a report has been received. 



If it is true, and they have established themselves there, it will be a 



splendid thing. Years ago wapiti used to winter right along the benches 



of the valley, and though the lower benches of the valley are much too 



settled for this to happen again, there is and will be plenty of range for 



them for years to come along the foot-hills. 



In his annual report for 1915, Mr. Williams is able to 

 record a continued encouraging increase. He states: 



In East Kootenay wapiti are still increasing, although no further re- 

 ports of the small band that crossed the Selkirks have been received. 

 On Vancouver Island there is an undoubted increase, particularly in the 

 southern part. It will, however, be most advisable to keep a close season 

 on these animals for a good many years yet; at any rate, on Vancouver 

 Island, though in the Kootenay District in a year or two it may be possi- 

 ble to have a short open season. 



