The West Virginia Division of Natural Resources is still holding 50 imported Arizona elk in quarantine at the Tomblin Wildlife Management. Under orders from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the elk can’t be released until 120 days after the last one went into the pen in Arizona, which means late May. Since their arrival one of the original 51 elk has died. When they’re released, West Virginia’s fledgling elk herd will total 87 animals. Project leader, Randy Kelley said 53 of those 87 are females, and many of them should deliver calves sometime around the first of June. Before their release the cows will be tested for pregnancy. The state’s elk population should top 100 after that. Kelly says the imported elk are doing well and gaining weight.
