The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) says they have had to put down an elk of unknown origin in Eastern Iowa to protect the Iowa deer herd and domestic livestock from the potential impact of diseases, including chronic wasting disease (CWD). The bull elk was killed last week by the Iowa DNR and was then examined for identifying markers. It was found to have notches in its ears, consistent with being part of a captive heard. The animal’s lymph nodes were removed and sent in for testing. The elk had been sighted in a variety of locations in Jackson and Dubuque Counties since it was originally picked up by a trail camera in Cascade in October. The escape of these animals from domestic herds is common in Iowan, and when spotted, the Iowa DNR works with the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship (IDALS) to determine the elk’s status and the best available options. If it can be returned to its owners, it is, but if not, they pose a risk to other animals and are dispatched. No captive animal producers from the area reported a missing elk. The removal of wandering elk is the responsibility of those two government agencies and is not allowed by the public.
