Elk Roam Virginia Despite Brief Extinction

Photo byStephen EllisonUnsplash

WINCHESTER, VA - Elk, once native to Virginia and much of eastern North America, disappeared from the state in the late 1800s due to unsustainable hunting and habitat changes.

According to the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources, the last of Virginia’s elk herd was killed in 1855 in Clarke County. Early attempts in the early 20th century to reintroduce elk into the state failed, leading to their complete disappearance by 1970.

According to the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources, however, a renewed effort to restore elk to Virginia began in the early 2000s. The Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources translocated over 1,500 elk into southeastern Kentucky, which eventually spilled over into Virginia. This sparked interest in restoring the elk population in the state.

The Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR) designated an Elk Management Zone (EMZ) in Southwest Virginia, encompassing Buchanan, Dickenson, and Wise counties.

Partnering with the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation (RMEF), the DWR worked to create suitable habitats for the elk. From 2012 to 2014, 75 elk were released into this area, according to the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources.

Since then, the elk population has grown, leading to both challenges and opportunities. To ensure sustainable management, the DWR developed a 10-year Elk Management Plan, incorporating input from a wide range of stakeholders.

This plan aims to balance the needs of the elk population with the interests of the public, ensuring the elk's continued presence in Virginia.