North American elk (Cervus elaphus) were once common throughout the Ozarks. The ecological role of these large ungulates in Ozark ecosystems is not well understood. However, their presence would likely have contributed to high species diversity and landscape diversity. The loss of this species has been identified as a source of stress to this ecosystem that evolved and developed over millennia in the presence of elk. The Rocky Mountain subspecies of elk has been reintroduced to numerous sites throughout the Eastern U.S., including four state wildlife management areas in eastern Oklahoma. An elk reintroduction to the Nickel Preserve would be the first such project on a Conservancy preserve anywhere in the United States.
 

An Elk Reintroduction Feasibility Study was undertaken in 2004 to assess the biological and sociological feasibility of restoring elk to the preserve. The study covered two key objectives:

1. To determine the biological potential for restoring elk to the Nickel Preserve, including habitat suitability, range requirements, and disease risk.
    
2. To assess the sociological factors potentially affecting a successful elk reintroduction program, including agricultural conflicts, poaching, roads, land ownership, and public attitudes.

The study found that suitable elk habitat exists on the Nickel Preserve, especially in the northern and eastern areas where fire management has been used in recent years. Sparse development and low road densities were considered especially favorable. Meetings held with neighboring landowners found favorable opinions and cooperative attitudes toward elk reintroduction.

Nickel Preserve staff completed an Elk Reintroduction Implementation Plan detailing actions needed for a successful reintroduction. Funding was secured, and the initial group of elk arrived on the preserve on March, 8th ,2005. Initial herd size for the release was 20 animals, including fifteen females (10 adults, 5 sub-adults) and 5 males (3 adults, 2 sub-adults), with 20 more possible the following spring. A holding enclosure was constructed in Sawmill Hollow that incorporates grasslands, forests, and adequate water to hold the elk. The elk were released from the enclosure after about three weeks.

Nature picture credits: Photo © George Pierson (elk)