Elk in Great Smokey Mountain Park Management Plan Poster

Running Head: MANAGEMENT PLAN POSTER 1

MANAGEMENT PLAN POSTER 3

Management Plan Poster

Gary Blanton

American Military University

· Thousands of elks were killed in North Carolina in the mid-1800’s

· By 1990’s elks were almost becoming extinct and this raised concern among conservation organization.

· Further reduction of elks was caused by overhunting and loss of habitat.

· People started moving and living in the mountains further reducing the population of this species.

· Eventually, elks were considered extinct in the Great Smoky Mountains of North Carolina

Scientific Basis behind the Reintroduction of the Elks

· The population of elks in the Great Smoky Mountains is sustainable.

· The existence of elks has a very small impact on the resources available in the park.

· It is easy to manage conflicts between humans and elks.

· Elks have a higher likelihood of thriving in these mountains.

Management Strategies of Elk Reintroduction

· The first 25 elks (20 females and 5 males will be moved to the mountains.

· Radio collars and ear tags will be attached to the elks to aid in tracking them.

· Vegetation in the mountains will be under monitoring to determine elk’s impact on native plant species.

· A framework of flexibility will be used to monitor elks population.

Background Information of Elk in the Great Smokey Mountains

The reintroduction of Elk to the Great Smokey Mountains

WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT PLAN

References

Braunstein, J. L. A. (2019). AMERICAN BLACK BEAR (Ursus americanus) MOVEMENTS AND FOOD-CONDITIONING ALONG THE INTERFACE OF GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK AND PRIVATE LAND.

Chapagain, B. P., & Poudyal, N. C. (2020). Economic benefit of wildlife reintroduction: a case of elk hunting in Tennessee, USA. Journal of environmental management, 269, 110808.

Deerhake, M., Murrow, J. L., Heller, K., Cobb, D. T., & Howard, B. Assessing the Feasibility of a Sustainable, Huntable Elk Population in North Carolina. Journal of the Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies3, 303, 312.