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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Outdoors blog

Elk die at Ketchum feeding area

Elk carcasses litter a Department of Fish and Game feeding site off Warm Springs Road west of Ketchum. (Roland Lane / Idaho Mountain Express)
Elk carcasses litter a Department of Fish and Game feeding site off Warm Springs Road west of Ketchum. (Roland Lane / Idaho Mountain Express)

WILDLIFE -- Once again we're reminded that feeding wildlife is hazardous and should be avoided whenever possible.

Idaho Fish & Game reports 33 elk died this winter at feeding station near Ketchum
In 1980, Idaho Fish and Game established a feeding station in Warm Springs Canyon to encourage elk to stay in the canyon and not wander down into Ketchum.

This year 180 elk were counted at the feeding station, but 33 died, 11 of which were killed by mountain lions. The 22 others were mostly calves killed by being trampled or starved because they could not get to food.

The 18 percent fatality rate was a bit higher than usual, an Idaho Fish and Game spokesman said.

--Idaho Mountain Express

 



Outdoors blog

Rich Landers writes and photographs stories and columns for a wide range of outdoors coverage, including Outdoors feature sections on Sunday and Thursday.




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