Two lawsuits have been filed against four different feeding grounds in Western Wyoming, including the National Elk Refuge north of Jackson. The first suit, if ruled in favor of closing feed grounds, would set forth a plan to phase out supplemental feeding on the National Elk Refuge.
This elk refuge is home to upwards of 7,000 elk each winter — elk that rely upon supplemental feeding to survive harsh winters. Closing the feed grounds will affect 20% of Wyoming’s state elk herds. The second suit calls for the renewal of necessary permits on Alkali, Dell Creek and Forest Park feed grounds to be blocked.
Proponents of these suits include the Sierra Club, National Wildlife Refuge Association, Western Watersheds Project, Defenders of Wildlife, Wyoming Wildlife Advocates and Gallatin Wildlife Association. Meanwhile, defenders of continued feeding at the feeding grounds include Wyoming Outfitters & Guides Association, Safari Club International, Jackson Hole Outfitters & Guides Association and Sublette County Outfitters & Guides Association.
The suits stem from a concern that the gathering of the ungulates during the winter will accelerate the spread of diseases like brucellosis and chronic wasting disease, which in turn might be spread to area livestock. Historically, these feed grounds served as a means of separating livestock from wildlife and used as a protection measure for ranchers to safeguard their animals and haystacks throughout the winter. Those same reasons exist today, and, subsequently, the correct solution is not readily apparent.
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