Tribes move elk to help farmer

Bellingham Herald:

Four elk were relocated Monday from the Acme area, where they were among the 75 animals that have been trampling fences and eating crops.

Regardless of the small number of elk captured, tribal and state wildlife officials consider the damage-control effort a success.
“This is the first time we’ve done anything like this with damage issues,” said Michael Sevigny, a wildlife manager and biologist for the Tulalip tribe.

In the past, the state paid farmers when wild animals damaged their land or livestock, or it opened special hunts.

“All the tribes have come together,” Sevigny said.

“With future damage issues, we will be able to move in with another alternative … rather than relying on the state to open the wallet, or open a hunt,” said Worth Allen, a state fish and wildlife enforcement officer.