AFFLICTED RAWLINS ELK TRANSPORTED TO STATE VET LAB

3/2/2004

RAWLINS -- Four live elk displaying the loss of leg muscle control that has caused the death of 280 elk southwest of Rawlins since Feb. 8, have been transported to Wyoming State Veterinary Laboratory in Laramie.

Game and Fish Department veterinarians hope they can gain insight into the mysterious malady from observing how the afflicted elk respond to various treatments.

On Sunday, one cow elk was transported by all-terrain-vehicle to a stock trailer and then driven to Laramie. Two cows and one young bull were transported by helicopter to the stock trailer for the drive to the laboratory on Monday.

The weekend’s aerial survey work was hampered by inclement weather.

The WSVL and the G&F continue to direct all available resources to trying to determine the cause for elk deaths.

The discovery of dying elk was initially reported to the department on Feb. 8 when a coyote hunter found two elk approximately 15 miles from Rawlins that were alive, but unable to move. Since that time, officials have found dozens of dead and dying elk using an airplane and searching the area on foot and four-wheelers.

-WGFD-
 

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