After a Small Incident in April, Elk Continue to Adjust in Jackson County
Tuesday, May 12th, 2015 -- 9:26 AM
(Wisconsin Ag Connection) -After over a month in Jackson County, elk from Kentucky continue to adjust to their new surroundings with help from Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources staff and their partners, but there was a minor setback in April.Prior to arriving safely in Wisconsin March 26, the elk were held for 45 days in Kentucky for initial disease testing as part of a 120-day quarantine period. The elk currently reside in a quarantine pen in Jackson County, where they will remain until at least mid-June. When the quarantine period has ended and final disease testing is completed, they will be released in Jackson County.
For the duration of their captivity in Kentucky and Wisconsin, the elk have received expert care. However, in mid-April, a mortality event involving four calves and one adult cow was promptly identified due to diligent 24-hour surveillance protocol. Following a thorough investigation, the cause of death was attributed a disease caused by a tick-borne parasite. While this parasite has previously been identified in Wisconsin and other states, its impact on both wild and captive elk is unknown.
Outside of this acute disease event, all five animals were in good nutritional and physical health. The 21 elk currently housed within the Jackson County quarantine pen will continue to receive 24-hour care, and the department will monitor these elk with the animals' health as top priority.
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