Elk feeding ends early
Sunday, March 25, 2007 12:45 AM PDT
JACKSON, Wyo. (AP) — Recent warm temperatures have prompted an early end to the supplemental feeding of wild elk at the National Elk Refuge.
Eighty percent of radio-collared elk left the feed lines between March 15 and March 18, according to refuge spokeswoman Lori Iverson.
Iverson said feeding of alfalfa pellets was stopped a few days short of when biologists would normally decide to stop feeding.
Supplemental feeding at the refuge near Jackson lasted 68 days this winter, compared to a 73-day average.
Elk have started munching on native plants that are sprouting up on south facing slopes and elsewhere.
‘‘The green grass is nutritionally so much better for the animals and they know that,’’ Iverson said, likening the green grass to fresh fruits and vegetables. ‘‘They will naturally gravitate toward the fresh native grasses.’’
Some elk have already started to move north into their traditional summer ranges. About 50 percent of refuge elk will summer in Grand Teton National Park, while the remaining 50 percent will divide between the southern part of Yellowstone National Park and parts of the Gros Ventre mountains.
Bison also shunned supplemental feeding starting about March 16 and have started foraging on native range in the north part of the refuge.
According to refuge officials, by ending supplemental feeding early, the elk herd stands a reduced chance of brucellosis transmission. The herd also starts to move away from areas contaminated by manure through heavy winter use. Further, the end of feeding ends the use of heavy feeding equipment on the refuge, which can cause damage to native grasses.
Iverson said that while springtime usually sees fewer animal collisions with vehicles than the fall migration, motorists should still use caution and watch for animals crossing roads.
‘‘People need to be cautious any of the time during the time animals are moving,’’ she said.
———
Information from: Jackson Hole News And Guide, http://www.jhnewsandguide.com
