On March 3, 2018, a new group of elk were welcomed back to the state of West Virginia, thanks to a collaborative effort between the Arizona Game and Fish Department, the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources, and the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation. Elk used to live in the state, but became extinct around 1875.
The RMEF is helping to reintroduce elk to its native historic range through its Eastern Elk Initiative. Before European settlement, an estimated ten million elk lived throughout North America and Canada in nearly every state besides Alaska and Florida. Unregulated hunting and habitat loss due to urbanization caused the elk population to dwindle. In the early 1890s, populations were less than 100,000. Today due to habitat restoration projects, they live in about 24 states and 7 provinces.
Elk Reintroduction Numbers
According to a 2014-2015 Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources Elk Report, the estimated elk population was approximately 10,000 animals. Kentucky has the highest elk population of any state east of the Mississippi River. After this recent reintroduction of approx. 60 elk from Arizona, West. Virginia has approx. 90 elk today.
The RMEF Elk Network estimates about one million elk live in the western United States, Wisconsin, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Pennsylvania, Arkansas, Kentucky, Tennessee, Virginia and North Carolina, and from Ontario west in Canada. Click here to view the current and historic elk population map online.
Elk Subspecies
There were 6 subspecies of elk, but the Eastern and Merriam’s elk have both been extinct for at least a century.
- Rocky Mountain (Rocky Mountain West, now transplanted to other locations) – largest antlers of all subspecies
- Roosevelt’s (Coastal Pacific Northwest) – largest in body size of all subspecies, but not antler size
- Tule (Central California) – smallest body size of all subspecies
- Manitoban (northern Great Plains)
- Merriam’s (Southwest and Mexico) – Extinct
- Eastern (east of the Mississippi) – Extinct
Source: RMEF Elk Network
Reintroduction Timeline:
February 1913: Sportsmen released 83 elk from Yellowstone National Park into Cabin Draw, Arizona
December 1997: Seven elk captured in Western Kansas were released in Eastern Kentucky.
2000: Kentucky received 26 elk captured near the Raymond Wildlife Area in Arizona
2002: Over 1,500 elk had been released at 8 different sites in Kentucky. Herds were considered healthy and the program was discontinued.
2012-2014: Virginia successfully trapped 70 elk in Kentucky and released them all near Vansant, Buchanan County
2016: West Virginia receives 12 elk from Kentucky
March 3, 2018: Approx. 50 cows and 10 bulls captured and quarantined in January east of Flagstaff are introduced to the Tomblin Wildlife Management Area. They join nearly two dozen elk already on site.
Additional Resources
History of Kentucky Elk Restoration [Video]
RMEF Eastern Elk Initiative Brochure
Arizona Elk Bound for West Virginia [Video]
3 Responses to “Elk Reintroduced to West Virginia”
Vickie Kientz
I would like to know how you were able to trap these elk and if you had to sedate them to be transferred. What medication and dose was used. I heard they could have a heart attack if they are to stressed. Is this true. We have a few elk and always trying to learn more about them.
Kathy
Hi Vickie,
That’s a great question. According to other news coverage, the elk were captured at the Raymond Wildlife Area using helicopters and net guns that entangled the elk. They were then sedated before being put in a quarantine pen, but I don’t know what they used to sedate them. I found the contact info for the Arizona Game and Fish Department, who headed up the project. I’m sure they would be happy to share more info with you. Give them a try at customerservice@azgfd.gov, or through their facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/azgafd/
Tavis Whitfield
I’m seeing an increase of elk in my home state, exiting!