Citations Issued in PA for Elk Deaths
27 August 2009
by Anai Rhoads
AnaiRhoads.org -- Human-assisted feeding of wildlife is suspected in the recent deaths of four elk this month. Pennsylvania Game Commission officials reported Wednesday that the elk died from a condition called rumen acidosis, and stressed that it is illegal to feed elk in the Keystone state.
Citations were issued to several local residents for the illegal feeding. One case in particular, an elk was discovered lying dead on a pile of corn. This death confirmed that someone was feeding the wildlife fermented foods.
In another more disturbing case, a local resident attempted to hide a deceased elk by dragging its carcass into a heavily wooded area. In the end, the resident admitted to killing the elk and was fined for attempting to hide the evidence.
"So far, we have been able to document four cases of such deaths," said Dr. Walter Cottrell, Game Commission wildlife veterinarian. "There have been other deaths that we believed may have been caused by such feeding, but, in those cases the animal was either decomposed or other circumstances prevented it from obtaining the carcass in time for laboratory analysis to take place."
The wildlife veterinarian went on to elaborate that both elk and white-tailed deer cannot survive on highly-fermented grains, such as corn. The animals naturally live on woody vegetation throughout the winter, without the assistance of humans.
Rumen acidosis in elk is a condition that is directly caused by artificially feeding. Fermented foods, or any sudden change in feeding, can quickly disrupt an elk's digestive system, most often resulting in his or her death.
Elk have a four-part stomach, which deals with the fermentation of food. Acidosis is caused by a build-up of lactic acid in the rumen, directly caused from ingesting these grains. This may result in a sudden fall in the animal's pH level, which then causes them to go into shock. Officials say the most common artificial feed given to the elk by the locals is corn-based.
"We need to have local residents and district justices understand that the well-intentioned individuals are actually killing elk," Dr. Cottrell said. "For those who truly enjoy seeing elk it is best for them to stop artificially feeding elk and other wildlife. It would be far more beneficial if they were to implement some form of habitat improvement producing cover to reduce weather-related stress or food in the form of digestible native plants on their property."
Without fully understanding an animal's nutritional requirements, one should never attempt to feed them. Residents are asked not to approach and/or feed elk or white tail deer in the Key Stone state. Aside from the rumen acidosis issue, feeding elk by hand can be dangerous.
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