Elk Released Into the Wild

A group of elk transported from Arizona to West Virginia in March have been set free from their holding pen. The Division of Natural Resources released 46 elk in Logan County that had undergone a quarantine mandated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Gov. Jim Justice had said three elk died of stress from summer heat, prolonged confinement and the testing procedure. Two of the three were pregnant. Three other recently born calves also died while awaiting release. Justice said wild elk like the ones caught in Arizona are more susceptible to stress.