2008 WEF Elk Release a Huge Success Story

In the early morning hours of March 6, 2008 Parks Canada staff and WEF volunteers loaded 81 elk into 6 stock trailers at Elk Island National Park (EINP) and headed for the foothills of Alberta's Rocky Mountains. This was the second elk release project that the Wild Elk Federation has embarked on since its beginnings in April of 2006. The initial release, involving 86 elk, was completed in the spring of 2007.
The stock trailers and trucks donated and driven by WEF volunteers arrived in Rocky Mountain House (RMH) at approximately 1:00PM where lunch was waiting for the volunteer group. Lunch was prepared and served by staff of RMH Alberta Fish & Wildlife and, after a great feed they joined the caravan now headed directly to the two preselected release sites, one located west northwest and other west southwest of the town of Nordegg.

Each site received 3 trailers loaded with elk and after a short period of preparation at the sites, the gates were opened and the elk were introduced to their new home. The actual release was a few minutes of joy and excitement for the volunteers, some who had never been present for such an event. Asked if they would do it again, the volunteers responded, "in a heartbeat".
These few minutes were preceded with months of preparation. EINP staff began trapping elk in January. From the traps the elk were transferred to large holding pens located next to the EINP paddock. There while in quarantine, the elk were ear tagged, underwent testing, and received oral inoculations for the prevention of liver flukes. Coordination between all the partners involved in the project (Elk Island National Park, Wild Elk Federation, Alberta Professional Outftters Society 'APOS', Canada Food Inspection Agency, and Alberta Fish & Wildlife) was handled effortlessly. WEF lined up drivers, trucks and stock trailers for the transportation of the elk. WEF is also responsible for partial cost recovery of the project. That part being $45,000.00. RMH Alberta Fish & Wildlife selected the release sites based on their knowledge of elk herd sizes within their particular jurisdiction.

The Wild Elk Federation would like to thank all the volunteers who participated in the release, its Partners in Conservation, and the members and supporters who helped make this wildlife project a success.

Wild Elk Federation
P.O. Box 3024
Leduc, Alberta
T9E 6L8

1-877-466-4 ELK

Phone: (780)-980-1600
Fax: (780)-980-1799
www.wildelkfederation.ca
E-mail: bgrimsey@wildelkfederation.ca