Deer and elk herds in Central Washington are running out of food due to severe winter conditions.

To prevent the animals from damaging haystacks and orchards, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife is seeking emergency funds to start and maintain several feeding programs.

So far, more than 8,000 elk have come to the Oak Creek Wildlife Area northwest of Yakima. That’s twice the number of a normal winter, officials say. At a rate of 50 tons of hay per day, officials say supplies will run out in the next few weeks.

Winter feed also is scarce at the Entiat Wildlife Area in Chelan County, the L.T. Wildlife Area south of Ellensburg and several other Central Washington feeding stations.

Donations may be mailed to Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife General Accounting, 600 Capitol Way N., Olympia, WA 98501-1091. Checks should be made payable to the WDFW Winter Feeding Program.

For more information, call (360) 902-2512.

, DataTimes