SISTERS,
Ore. – A
total of 35 elk
escaped from a
private elk ranch
in Sisters, Ore.
this morning through
fences that Oregon
State Police have
determined were
deliberately cut.
All
35 elk have been
recovered and
returned to the
ranch , unharmed.
The
Oregon State Police
is investigating
the incident. Individuals
with information
are urged to
contact Sergeant
David Pond at
(541) 388-6213.
Two
fences, both of
which were cut,
keep the elk inside
the ranch boundaries. Of
the 35 elk, 27
managed to escape
through both
fences, while
eight were only
able to get through
the first fence
before being captured
and moved back
into the interior
of the facility.
The
animals were recovered
three quarters
of a mile from
the ranch and herded
back by ranch staff,
with the help of
Steven George,
ODFW district biologist.
According to George,
the elk were not
likely to have
interacted with
any wild elk or
domestic cattle
while outside the
ranch boundaries.
Oregon
is home to several
elk ranches that
raise the animals
for commercial
purposes. The
Oregon Fish and
Wildlife Commission
recently organized
an advisory group
to review the state’s
administrative
rules governing
elk ranching.
The group will
meet for the first
time in April.
About
ODFW
The
mission of the
Oregon Department
of Fish and Wildlife
is to protect and
enhance Oregon's
fish and wildlife
and their habitats
for use and enjoyment
by present and
future generations.
The agency consists
of the Oregon Fish
and Wildlife Commission,
a commission-appointed
director and a
statewide staff
of approximately
950 permanent employees.
Headquartered in
Salem, ODFW has
regional offices
in Clackamas, Roseburg,
Bend, and La Grande with ten district offices located throughout the state. For additional information, please visit: www.dfw.state.or.us.
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