Conservationists Protest Disease-spreading Elk Feeding in the Gros Ventre

Feeding continues even as chronic wasting disease moves closer-

Jackson, WY – Yesterday afternoon, a coalition of four conservation groups filed formal objections to the Bridger-Teton National Forest’s recent decision approving an elk feeding ground in Wyoming’s Gros Ventre Valley. They are Western Watersheds Project, Wilderness Watch, Wyoming Chapter of Sierra Club, and the Gallatin Wildlife Association.

The Alkali Creek feedground and 21 others in Wyoming are operated by the Wyoming Game and Fish Department.  A large and growing body of research shows that feeding elk greatly speeds the spread of diseases in ungulates, including the always-fatal Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD). Wasting disease is sweeping westward across Wyoming, and was found in seven new hunt areas in 2014.

The Forest Service’s January decision made headlines when Acting Supervisor Kathryn Conant openly admitted that WGFD’s feeding increases risk of disease transmission, yet the Forest Service decided to continue the feeding regardless.

The groups objected on the basis that the feeding decision violated many of the Forest Service’s duties to protect wildlife and wilderness.  For example, the Forest Service refused to even consider phasing out feeding on Forest Service lands, as required by law, despite overwhelming public support and science indicating that this is the best way to prevent and minimize the spread of CWD. Additionally, feeding at Alkali Creek denudes vegetation and maintains unnatural conditions in the Gros Ventre Wilderness, contrary to the Wilderness Act.

“Feedgrounds are counterproductive.  Conserving large carnivores and allowing elk and deer herds to disperse freely are the best measures to keep herds healthy,” said Lloyd Dorsey of Wyoming Wildlife Advocates.

“These elk feedlots are Frankensteins created by the Game and Fish Department to placate the livestock industry,” said Jonathan Ratner, Wyoming Director of Western Watersheds Project. “They were a bad idea when they were created, but they’ve taken on a life of their own and are an even worse idea now in light of CWD.”

According to Sierra Club Wyoming Chapter’s Connie Wilbert, “It’s way past time to start phasing out these wildlife feedlots, with everything we know about wildlife disease transmission and the devastating impact CWD already is having on ungulates in Wyoming. Ending feeding at Alkali Creek right now, when we have the chance to, would be a good first step.”

“We remain very concerned about the artificial concentration of elk on feedgrounds in Wyoming and the spread of Chronic Wasting Disease. There is an unbroken chain of elk from these ill-advised feedgrounds in Wyoming to our cherished wildlife winter ranges in Montana.  These feedgrounds threatened wildlife throughout the entire Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem,” said Glenn Hockett, Gallatin Wildlife Association.

The groups objecting are Western Watersheds Project, Wilderness Watch, Sierra Club Wyoming Chapter, and Gallatin Wildlife Association.

A separate coalition of groups announced their intention to file for Interested Party status in support of the objections against the feedground, including Wyoming Wildlife Advocates and WildEarth Guardians.

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A copy of the objection can be read online here.

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