North Carolina has an elk herd, too

In 2001, 26 elk captured in Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area in western Kentucky and Tennessee were reintroduced into the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Twenty-seven more were released in 2002.

Today, 86 elk inhabit the park, most in the Cataloochee Valley about 20 miles north of Waynesville.

THE PROJECT

Most of the original $1.1 million cost was funded by the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, which provided $700,000.

Park officials requested permission to import more elk in 2006, but fears of introducing chronic wasting disease into the herd have put the plans on hold.

"The population is steady and healthy," Keith Mastin, education curator at the Western North Carolina Nature Center in Asheville said Monday. "The herd count now is at 86 animals. It is still mandatory that no elk be relocated into the state."

DID YOU KNOW ... ?

The temporary relocation of black bears in the valley has been helped increase the elk population. Mastin said park workers discovered that black bears were preying on newborn elk calves. Starting two years ago, black bears were trapped during calving season and moved to another part of the park. In the weeks it takes the bears to return, the calves become fully mobile and able to escape. The calf survival rate went from 20 percent to 80 percent, Mastin said.

SPECIAL TOURS

Visitors can visit to see the elk anytime, but people wishing to view the elk will have special, guided opportunities on March 4, 13 and 18. That's when the Western North Carolina Nature Center will sponsor the North Carolina Elk Experience, an excursion to the Cataloochee Valley in Haywood County. The trip starts with a one-hour classroom session, then participants travel by van to view the animals. Cost is $20, or $10 if you drive your own vehicle.

LEARN MORE

* Western North Carolina Nature Center (828) 298-5600, www.wildwnc. org; Keith Mastin (828) 298-5600, ext. 305, kmastin@ashevillenc.gov

* Great Smoky Mountains National Park (865) 436-1200, www.nps.gov/grsm