Flying Elk

The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, University of Tennessee, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, and Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife are trapping cow elk on North Cumberland WMA for a study focusing on calf survival and recruitment. Cows are captured by a helicopter crew and are assessed by veterinarians and researchers. Pregnant cows are implanted with transmitters that send GPS signals upon calving. Biologists can then locate the newborn calves and outfit them with tracking collars so they can be monitored for a better understanding of habitat characteristics of birth sites and better survival.