TULE ELK OR DWARF ELK Cervus nannodes (Merriam) 



Order: ARTIODACTYLA Family: CERVIDAE 



Distinguishing characteristics : Slightly smaller, paler, and with more narrow rump- 

 patch than Rocky Mountain elk. 



Present distribution : Three major, well-separated populations in California. Two of 

 these--one in the Cache Creek area (Colusa, Lake, and Yolo Counties) and one in Owens 

 Valley (Inyo County)--are free-roaming. The third herd is fenced in the Tule Elk State 

 Park near Tupman (Kern County) . Five main herds in the Owens Valley. 



Former distribution : Common prior to 1860 in nearly the entire San Joaquin and 

 Sacramento Valleys, California (Butte to Kern Counties); restricted to the Buttonwillow 

 Ranch, western Kern County, by 1905; total in 1932, 170. 



Status : The herd in the Cache Creek area has remained fairly stable . The Owens Valley 

 population regularly increases beyond the capacity of its habitat. 



Estimated numbers : In 1970, the California Fish and Game Department maintained the 

 Owens Valley herds at between 250 and 300 animals and about 140 in the Cache Creek 

 area, Yolo County. Game Department's (1971) policy set 490 elk for Inyo County's 5 herds. 



Breeding rate in the wild : One (rarely two) calves per cow annually. Gestation 

 period approximately 250 days . 



Reasons for decline : Hunted for meat and hides during Gold Rush of mid 1800's; total 

 population about 28 in 1885. Encroachment of civilization and cultivation have reduced 

 available range , and cattlemen and farmers claim competition with stock and damage to 

 crops and fences . 



Protective measures already taken : Herds are carefully managed and protected from 

 indiscriminate hunting by State law. Establishment of Tule Elk State Park. Organization 

 of the Committee for the Preservation of the Tule Elk, dedicated to the protection of this 

 species. Livestock grazing on portion of Inyo National Forest used by Goodale segment 

 of Owens Valley herd restricted since 1965 . Five tule elk from Tupman herd transplanted 

 to Whitney area in January, 1972 to establish new herd. State law prohibits hunting tule 

 elk until numbers reach 2 , 000 . Inter-agency committee formed to evaluate proposed 

 transplant sites . 



Measures proposed : The Committee for the Preservation of the Tule Elk is attempting 

 to set aside 240 square miles in Owens Valley (owned by the city of Los Angeles, but 

 leased to cattlemen) as a refuge . Initiate studies to determine the optimum numbers of 

 elk that a given habitat can support . Transplant planned for San Luis National Wildlife 

 Refuge in San Joaquin Valley. 



Number in captivity : In semi-domestic state, in 1970, are 45 on the Tule Elk Reserve, 

 Kern County; California Fish and Game Department considers 32 optimum. In addition, 

 35 were in three American zoos and 2 in Germany in 1972. 



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