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National Elk Refuge fields questions about what feeding elk could mean for Jackson Hole’s water
Federal managers say shorter feeding seasons could cut chronic wasting disease risk and reduce annual pellet costs of more than $1 million.
- On Tuesday, National Elk Refuge Project Leader Frank Durbian and Senior Wildlife Biologist Eric Cole presented four long-term strategies for managing elk and bison in Jackson, ranging from indefinite feeding to ending the program within five years.
- Growing concerns over Chronic Wasting Disease and high operational costs have prompted the review; the refuge typically spends more than $1 million annually feeding about 7,500 elk and 500 bison.
- Managers plan to shift from feeding to hunting, targeting short-distance migrants using GPS-collar data to reduce wintering elk to 5,000, aiming to lower disease prevalence and minimize private-land conflicts.
- Research suggesting CWD prions could reach groundwater has prompted Teton County Public Health Director Travis Riddell to explore water testing, as three of Jackson's drinking water wells sit on the 24,700-acre refuge.
- The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is accepting public comments on the draft environmental impact statement through October 13, with feedback shaping final decisions on feeding operations and disease response.
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12 Articles
The Toronto Star+10 Reposted by 10 other sources
National Elk Refuge fields questions about what feeding elk could mean for Jackson Hole’s water
As National Elk Refuge leaders laid out long-term options for managing elk and bison wintering on the edge of Jackson, a discussion Tuesday turned to the northwestern Wyoming town’s water supply.
·Toronto, Canada
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Coverage Details
Total News Sources12
Leaning Left2Leaning Right2Center7Last UpdatedBias Distribution64% Center
Bias Distribution
- 64% of the sources are Center
64% Center
L 18%
C 64%
R 18%
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