There is no higher calling for a wildlife biologist or conservation organization than to restore extirpated wildlife species back to their historic ranges.
Feasibility Studies
With that in mind, in 1990 the Elk Foundation began funding feasibility studies to determine if wild, free-ranging elk still had a place in some of their former eastern haunts. Partnering with state wildlife agencies and universities, we ask three important questions: Can the habitat support elk? How will restoring elk affect the local economy and hunting? And finally, will local citizens accept a restored elk herd?
Repopulating Historic Range
Once a feasibility study is completed and a restoration project is approved by the state wildlife agency and affected landowners, the Elk Foundation and its volunteers help trap and transfer wild elk from a source herd to their ancestral grounds. All elk trapped are tested for seven diseases, including brucellosis and bluetongue, before leaving the trap site. Healthy source herds have been used in Arizona, Kansas, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, Utah and Alberta’s Elk Island National Park.
Monitoring Ensures Success
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A newly-collared Kentucky elk calf. © Bill Konway |
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Once elk reach their new destination, it’s up to the participating wildlife agency to decide whether they are held in acclimation pens for a few months or released directly into the wild. Regardless, after they hit the ground the elk are monitored for three to five years to study such things as movement patterns and calf survival to ensure proper management of the herd and their habitat.
Restoration Efforts So Far
We completed successful elk restorations in Wisconsin in 1995, Ontario in 2001, and Kentucky, Tennessee and Great Smoky Mountains National Park in 2002. In addition, we completed feasibility studies in Illinois, Virginia and New York, although these did not result in elk restorations. We funded a feasibility study in West Virginia in 2005, and the state wildlife agency will use the data to decide whether or not to restore elk to that state.
Eastern Elk Management Workshop
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Elk now thrive in Ontario thanks to restoration efforts. © Jason St. Michael/ RMEF |
In places where we've restored elk herds, the focus has turned to protecting and enhancing habitat so that future generations of elk have a place in the eastern landscape. We also provide funds and volunteer power to help study the new herds. Since 1996, we have sponsored the annual Eastern Elk Management Workshop, which provides eastern elk managers with the opportunity to share research and ideas for managing elk herds east of the Mississippi.
A Benefit to Ecosystems and Economies
Today, wild, free-ranging elk are making tracks in places where they haven’t for more than a century. Local economies benefit from visitors who travel from all over to catch a glimpse of the wily wapiti. In 2001, Kentucky held its first elk hunt in 150 years, and Pennsylvania its first hunt in more than 70 years. As Eastern elk herds continue to prosper, the Elk Foundation, its volunteers and partners will be there to welcome calves born beneath the hardwoods, and hear bulls’ bugles echoing across mountains and through hollows.