Help return Wyoming's elk to their native habitat and wean them off of Winter artificial feeding stations................

From: Mike Clark, Greater Yellowstone Coalition [mailto:mikeclark@greateryellowstone.org]

To: Meril, Rick
Subject: Help return Wyoming's elk to their native habitat!

/. Rick-- Did you know that more than 22,000 wild elk are artificially fed each  winter in Wyoming? It's bad for elk, it poses a disease  threat to other wildlife and livestock,  and it's bad for the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem.  The good news is that earlier this  month a federal appeals court  agreed with us that the feeding should stop on the National Elk  Refuge in Jackson.  I need your help to make sure that  happens.  Since 1912, thousands of elk have  been baited to the National Elk  Refuge where they congregate in  huge herds around hay and pellets set out for them by people. All winter  long, unnaturally large herds of elk  move small distances to feed instead  of roaming freely across wide swaths  of winter range. Artificial feeding of wild elk at the National Elk Refuge in Wyoming could soon come to an end. Help us ensure a careful phase out of artificial feeding at the National Elk Refuge. Donate toward this cause today! There is no question that a  huge herd  of elk feeding on the National Elk Refuge is a dramatic sight.  But  unnaturally  high concentrations of wildlife also  concentrates disease.  Brucellosis, scabies , and hoof rot are prevalent  on the National  Elk Refuge. Some of these  diseases can be transmitted to other wildlife  and to livestock.     It's only a matter of time before a deadly  outbreak of disease such  as Chronic       Wasting Disease or Bovine  Tuberculosis  ravages the herd and spreads to other ungulates. We need your help to ensure  that the Fish  and Wildlife Service expedites  a phase-out  plan and a scientifically-based  management plan. Please also help us  with a tax-deductible gift today. Your support  now will make a  difference for wild  elk in Greater Yellowstone for years  to come. Thank you, Mike Clark Executive Director P.O. Box 1874 • 13 S. Willson, Suite 2 Bozeman, MT 59771 • (406) 586-1593 • (800) 775-1834 www.greateryellowstone.org | tell a friend | unsubscribe