Elk, research, hunting and file video

Reporter Garrett Andrews has been investigating the uncertain future of land once occupied by the old Fort Lewis College. This 2008 footage is from a relatively feel-good visit to the Elk Research Institute, a current tenant of the land. At the time, youth were darting the herd with tranquilizers and cutting off antlers for what was said to be research related to chronic wasting disease. Institute staff said removing antlers from young elk would keep them from challenging mature males. The staff maintained that the fittest animals would naturally possess a resistance to the disease. While this theory has yet to be proven, critics point out that what has been proven is that the fittest elk bring in more money from hunters.

video and post by Josh Stephenson