Missouri Elk Restoration

Missouri Elk Restoration

Scott Mackey

At what point do you stop reaching back into the past, dragging those things that have gone before back into the present? This is a serious question when it comes to the conservation of wildlife, and one that is hotly debated every time a new candidate for reintroduction or management comes to light. The newest issue in Missouri, and one which is now scheduled to take place, is the reintroduction of Cervus Canadensis, or Elk. Elk have been missing from the Missouri Ozarks since they were hunted to extinction in the area around 1865. (Elk) In the last ten years there has been an influx in interest concerning the reintroduction of a small population of these deer; it was met with both positive and negative opinions. In an interest to the animal welfare of these animals as well as those they might interact with the restoration plans put forth by the Missouri Conservation Commission must be reviewed.

            The first important feature of the proposed plan concerning the wellness of the animals, and the wellbeing of humans and their possessions as well is the location of the proposed restoration area. The area, located in 3 southern counties of Missouri, is 79% public land or privately owned land open to the public. Also, the proposed area encompasses 346 square miles of which there is only 33 miles of paved highway. This area therefore limits the amount of effect the Elk might have by encroaching on livestock as well as the danger to motor vehicles and drivers. This increases the animal’s ability to live naturally without much interference from humans outside of the restoration program.

            The best measure the program is taking to improve the wellness of the animals though is a soft release and two tests for illness. The soft release consists of a period of time in large pens to acclimate the Elk to their new Missouri habitat. The testing for illnesses takes place in both the donor state and in Missouri, assuring that no disease is present at the time of capture or acquired in transport. These two measures assure a relative amount of comfort for the animals which obviously contributes to their overall wellness.

            Proponents of the Missouri Elk Restoration Program are generally those people who like to see things put back into place. People who pride themselves on returning our fair Ozarks to the way they once were. Those who are generally against the plan are those with agriculture interests who deem the Elk to be competition to their livestock or pests to their crops. The Conservation Commission has taken great steps in their planning to monitor the Elk and their travel and also, if it happens to occur, to assist landowners with damages caused by the Elk wandering prior to their removal and transportation back to the defined Elk range. With the program being effectively and stringently carried out I believe the wellness of the animals will be top quality and the people will appreciate the returning of a native to the Ozarks.

Works Cited

1.)    "Elk Restoration in Missouri." MDC.MO.GOV. Missouri Conservation Commission, 2010. Web. 7 Nov. 2010.<http://mdc.mo.gov/sites/default/files/resources/2010/10/elk_restoration_in_missouri_commission_report_oct_1_20101_0.pdf>.

2.)    "Missouri Elk Reintroduction Feasibility Study." Missouri Department Of Conservation. Missouri Department Of Conservation, Nov. 2000. Web. 2 Nov. 2010. <http://mdc4.mdc.mo.gov/Documents/159.pdf>.

3.)    "Over 100 attend public meeting in Van Buren on elk reintroduction." Southeast Missourian. Ed. Paul Davis. N.p., 26 Aug. 2010. Web. 1 Nov. 2010. <http://www.semissourian.com/story/1659289.html>.