Elk Restoration in the Northern Cumberland Plateau, Tennessee Lisa Muller, Jason Kindall, Jason Lupardus University of Tennessee
Acknowledgments Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency University of Tennessee Campbell Outdoor Recreation Association Tennessee Conservation League Elk Island National Park Canadian Food Inspection Agency USDA Forest Service Land Between the Lakes
Native American History Wapiti Shawnee name for elk meaning white rump
Historical Elk Range
arliest Records Aboriginal record of elk dates back 10,000 years ago Paleo-Arctic period Earliest human culture in North America Elk bones found in campsite debris
The top of the mountain is described as being then, a vast upland prairie, covered with the most luxuriant growth of native grasses, pastured over as far as the eye could see, with numerous herds of deer, elk, and buffalo, gambooling in playful security over these secluded plains 1783 Ramsey-Cumberland Mountains, TN
Extirpation Overhunting and harvesting No game regulations
he Last Elk Ganier reported last elk shot in east Tennessee 1849 Last elk in TN in 1860 s Obion County
Current Elk Range
Adult Males Average weight 750 lbs Body height 4 ½ ft
Females Average weight 600 lbs Gestation 8 ½ months Parturition May-June
Reproductive Cycle Fall: Female breeds 1.5 year cycle Spring: Young leave mother Summer: Parturition Fall Winter: Young remain with mother
Social Groups Harems
GRAZERS - Opportunistic
Elk Reintroduction: Why? Originally a part of Tennessee s ecosystem Restore biodiversity Economic benefit: Wildlife viewing opportunity, aesthetic value Tourism Hunting opportunity Habitat management Tool: Umbrella/flagship species
Economic Benefits: Hunting
Economic/Social Benefits
Umbrella/Flagship Species Umbrella species: a species whose proper management provides habitat for many other species Flagship species: a species that by nature captures the interest of the general public and can be used as a catalyst for management activity and public relations thereof. Golden-winged warbler
Elk Reintroduction: How? T. Lewis
CORA Campbell Outdoor Recreation Association
Elk Restoration Zone 670,000 acres Portions of Scott, Campbell, Morgan, Claiborne and Anderson Counties Public lands Royal Blue WMA Frozen Head State Park Cumberland Gap National Park
Study Area Map
Kentucky Tennessee
Photo: Dan Hicks
Photo: Dan Hicks
Photo: Dan Hicks
Number of Elk Released in the Cumberland Plateau Area of Tennessee (Winter 2000-2001) 2001) 20 18 Number of Animals Released (Total = 86) 16 14 12 10 8 6 4 2 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Female Male Age (at time of release spring 2001)
Number of Elk Released in the Cumberland Plateau Area of Tennessee (Winter 2002) 20 18 Number of Animals Released (Total = 50) 16 14 12 10 8 6 4 2 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Female Male Age (at time of release spring 2002)
Number of Animals Released : 31 US Department of Agriculture Forest Service Land Between the Lakes
Number of Elk Released in the Cumberland Plateau Area of Tennessee (Winter 2003). Source of elk: Land Between the Lakes Number of Animals Released (Total = 31) 20 18 16 14 12 10 8 6 4 2 0 1 3 5 7 9 11 Age (at time of release spring 2002) Female Male
167 Elk Released in the Cumberland Plateau Area of Tennessee Photo: Jason Lupardus
Photo: Terry Lewis
Photo: Jason Kindall
Trail Master Cameras
Mortalities
Elk Bull Tag #44 Elk Cow Tag #325 Dr. Linden Craig
Causes of Mortality for Elk Released in the Cumberland Plateau Area of Tennessee (1/25/2005) Number % Undetermined 26 42 Shot poaching 8 13 Known meningeal worm 6 10 Car accidents 5 8 Malnutrition 4 6 Accidents not involving 4 6 vehicles Train accidents 3 5 Shot for damage reasons 2 3 Founder from grain overload 1 2 Hypercalcinemia 1 2 Shot as a legal kill in KY 1 2 Verminous pneumonia 1 2 56 Total 62 100
Causes of Mortality for Elk Released in the Cumberland Plateau Area of Tennessee (1/25/2005) Number % Undetermined 26 42 Shot poaching 8 13 Known meningeal worm 6 10 Car accidents 5 8 Malnutrition 4 6 Accidents not involving 4 6 vehicles Train accidents 3 5 Shot for damage reasons 2 3 Founder from grain overload 1 2 Hypercalcinemia 1 2 Shot as a legal kill in KY 1 2 Verminous pneumonia 1 2 56 Total 62 100
Found: 11/14/2003 Birth year: 2000 Source: Elk Island National Park Cause of death: Shot
Causes of Mortality for Elk Released in the Cumberland Plateau Area of Tennessee (1/25/2005) Number % Undetermined 26 42 Shot poaching 8 13 Known meningeal worm 6 10 Car accidents 5 8 Malnutrition 4 6 Accidents not involving 4 6 vehicles Train accidents 3 5 Shot for damage reasons 2 3 Founder from grain overload 1 2 Hypercalcinemia 1 2 Shot as a legal kill in KY 1 2 Verminous pneumonia 1 2 56 Total 62 100
Meningeal Worm Life Cycle
Elk Cow Tag #35 Dr. Linden Craig
Range of Meningeal Worm
Photo Credit: Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency
Causes of Mortality for Elk Released in the Cumberland Plateau Area of Tennessee (1/25/2005) Number % Undetermined 26 42 Shot poaching 8 13 Known meningeal worm 6 10 Car accidents 5 8 Malnutrition 4 6 Accidents not involving 4 6 vehicles Train accidents 3 5 Shot for damage reasons 2 3 Founder from grain overload 1 2 Hypercalcinemia 1 2 Shot as a legal kill in KY 1 2 Verminous pneumonia 1 2 56 Total 62 100
Causes of Mortality for Elk Released in the Cumberland Plateau Area of Tennessee (1/25/2005) Number % Undetermined 26 42 Shot poaching 8 13 Known meningeal worm 6 10 Car accidents 5 8 Malnutrition 4 6 Accidents not involving 4 6 vehicles Train accidents 3 5 Shot for damage reasons 2 3 Founder from grain overload 1 2 Hypercalcinemia 1 2 Shot as a legal kill in KY 1 2 Verminous pneumonia 1 2 56 Total 62 100
Causes of Mortality for Elk Released in the Cumberland Plateau Area of Tennessee (1/25/2005) Number % Undetermined 26 42 Shot poaching 8 13 Known meningeal worm 6 10 Car accidents 5 8 Malnutrition 4 6 Accidents not involving 4 6 vehicles Train accidents 3 5 Shot for damage reasons 2 3 Founder from grain overload 1 2 Hypercalcinemia 1 2 Shot as a legal kill in KY 1 2 Verminous pneumonia 1 2 56 Total 62 100
Causes of Mortality for Elk Released in the Cumberland Plateau Area of Tennessee (1/25/2005) Number % Undetermined 26 42 Shot poaching 8 13 Known meningeal worm 6 10 Car accidents 5 8 Malnutrition 4 6 Accidents not involving 4 6 vehicles Train accidents 3 5 Shot for damage reasons 2 3 Founder from grain overload 1 2 Hypercalcinemia 1 2 Shot as a legal kill in KY 1 2 Verminous pneumonia 1 2 56 Total 62 100
Causes of Mortality for Elk Released in the Cumberland Plateau Area of Tennessee (1/25/2005) Number % Undetermined 26 42 Shot poaching 8 13 Known meningeal worm 6 10 Car accidents 5 8 Malnutrition 4 6 Accidents not involving 4 6 vehicles Train accidents 3 5 Shot for damage reasons 2 3 Founder from grain overload 1 2 Hypercalcinemia 1 2 Shot as a legal kill in KY 1 2 Verminous pneumonia 1 2 56 Total 62 100
Causes of Mortality for Elk Released in the Cumberland Plateau Area of Tennessee (1/25/2005) Number % Undetermined 26 42 Shot poaching 8 13 Known meningeal worm 6 10 Car accidents 5 8 Malnutrition 4 6 Accidents not involving 4 6 vehicles Train accidents 3 5 Shot for damage reasons 2 3 Founder from grain overload 1 2 Hypercalcinemia 1 2 Shot as a legal kill in KY 1 2 Verminous pneumonia 1 2 56 Total 62 100
Causes of Mortality for Elk Released in the Cumberland Plateau Area of Tennessee (1/25/2005) Number % Undetermined 26 42 Shot poaching 8 13 Known meningeal worm 6 10 Car accidents 5 8 Malnutrition 4 6 Accidents not involving 4 6 vehicles Train accidents 3 5 Shot for damage reasons 2 3 Founder from grain overload 1 2 Hypercalcinemia 1 2 Shot as a legal kill in KY 1 2 Verminous pneumonia 1 2 56 Total 62 100
Causes of Mortality for Elk Released in the Cumberland Plateau Area of Tennessee (1/25/2005) Number % Undetermined 26 42 Shot poaching 8 13 Known meningeal worm 6 10 Car accidents 5 8 Malnutrition 4 6 Accidents not involving 4 6 vehicles Train accidents 3 5 Shot for damage reasons 2 3 Founder from grain overload 1 2 Hypercalcinemia 1 2 Shot as a legal kill in KY 1 2 Verminous pneumonia 1 2 56 Total 62 100
Causes of Mortality for Elk Released in the Cumberland Plateau Area of Tennessee (1/25/2005) Number % Undetermined 26 42 Shot poaching 8 13 Known meningeal worm 6 10 Car accidents 5 8 Malnutrition 4 6 Accidents not involving 4 6 vehicles Train accidents 3 5 Shot for damage reasons 2 3 Founder from grain overload 1 2 Hypercalcinemia 1 2 Shot as a legal kill in KY 1 2 Verminous pneumonia 1 2 56 Total 62 100
Photo: Jason Kindall
Animals Censored Elk Released in the Cumberland Plateau Area of Tennessee (1/25/05) Number % Collar transmitters dropped 25 45 Elastic worn and broke 12 22 Ear tag transmitters - dropped 7 13 Not collared 7 13 Malfunction 4 7 Total 55 100 50 100
Kaplan-Meier Method of Estimating Survival 365 days Survival = 0.79 (CI = 0.72 0.85) Duration (days)
VORTEX version 9.33 Population Viability Analysis By Robert C. Lacy, Max Borbat, and J.P. Pollak
VORTEX version 8.41 Population Viability Analysis By Robert C. Lacy, Kimberly A. Hughes, and Philip S. Miller Life History Habitat Quality Disease Catastrophes POPULATION Human Impact Environmental Variation Inbreeding Depression
Vortex Simulation Basic Mortality for all ages 23.1% (SD=20.4) Reproductive Rate for 2.5+ = 74.9% and 1% produce twins Elk Population Size 2000 1800 1600 1400 1200 1000 800 600 400 200 0 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 Year
Vortex Simulation Basic (No 1 st 6 wks.) Mortality for all ages 19% (SD=17.5) Reproductive Rate for 2.5+ = 74.9% and 1% produce twins Elk Population Size 2000 1800 1600 1400 1200 1000 800 600 400 200 0 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 Year
Vortex Simulation Basic + Yrling Females Breed Mortality for all ages 23.1% (SD=20.4) Reproductive Rate for 1.5 and 2.5+ = 74.9% and 1% produce twins Elk Population Size 2000 1800 1600 1400 1200 1000 800 600 400 200 0 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 Year
Vortex Simulation Basic + Yrling Females Breed + High Reprod. Rate Mortality for all ages 23.1% (SD=20.4) Reproductive Rate for 1.5 and 2.5+ = 93% and 1% produce twins Elk Population Size 2000 1800 1600 1400 1200 1000 800 600 400 200 0 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 Year 100
Vortex Simulation Basic + High Reprod.. Rate + 200 Suppl. Mortality for all ages 23.1% (SD=20.4) Reproductive Rate for 2.5+ = 93% and 1% produce twins Elk Population Size 2000 1800 1600 1400 1200 1000 800 600 400 200 0 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 Year
Vortex Simulation Basic + High Reprod.. Rate + 400 Suppl. Mortality for all ages 23.1% (SD=20.4) Reproductive Rate for 2.5+ = 93% and 1% produce twins Elk Population Size 2000 1800 1600 1400 1200 1000 800 600 400 200 0 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 Year
Vortex Simulation Basic + High Reprod.. Rate + 25% Drop in Mortality Mortality for all ages 17.3% (SD=20.4) Reproductive Rate for 2.5+ = 93% and 1% produce twins Elk Population Size 2000 1800 1600 1400 1200 1000 800 600 400 200 0 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 Year
Seasonal Food Habits of Reintroduced Elk in the Cumberland Mountains, Tennessee Jason L. Lupardus M.S. Candidate
Microhistological Analysis Collect scat Analyze at Washington State University-Habitat Lab Genus/Species Correction Factors Diet Percentages
Major forage classes for the seasonal elk diet composition determined from microhistological analysis of feces within 789-ha core area (50% kernel home range) 100% 80% Other Legumes November 2003 to October 2004 Diet Composition 60% 40% Grasses Ferns Forbs Royal Blue Wildlife Management Area, Tennessee, USA. 20% Woody Plants 0% Winter Spring Summer Fall S
hoto by: Ray Stanfield