Hunters and others in northwest Oregon are being asked to be on the lookout for elk with hoof disease.
Elk hoof disease is prevalent in Southwest Washington, with 20 percent to 90 percent of the animals showing lameness in some herds. The disease is believed by the state to be a bacterial-associated syndrome.
Elk are well known to swim the Columbia River between Washington and Oregon.
Oregon has a hotline at 1-866-968-2600 to report elk with hoof problems or an email can be sent to wildlifehealth@state.or.us.
“This information will help us determine if the disease is becoming a threat to Oregon’s elk,” said Colin Gillin, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife veterinarian.
