Volunteers are needed by the state Department of Fish and Wildlife to survey in 10 Southwest Washington counties to determine the proportion of elk with hoof disease.
Scheduled for March and April, the survey is part of the agency’s effort to understand and manage the crippling disease that has afflicted the elk population in recent years.
“This is a major undertaking, covering thousands of miles, so we need all the help we can get,” said Sandra Jonker, regional wildlife program manager for the department in Vancouver.
The department will send teams of “citizen scientists” to drive 50 miles around selected survey points to record the total number of elk and the ones showing signs of hoof disease.
Survey teams of a driver and primary observer will be equipped with GPS equipment, trained in survey techniques, and instructed on how to recognize the limping gait that characterizes elk affected by the disease.
All volunteers will be required to attend an evening training session during the first week of March. The training schedule and an online application form is available at http://cerv.is/m?0052×805.
About 75 volunteers have expressed interest, but many more are needed.
Counties involved include Clark, Skamania, Cowlitz, Wahkiakum, Grays Harbor, Thurston, Pierce, Pacific, Lewis and Mason.
“The department has been documenting the geographical spread of hoof disease for some time, but we also need to understand its prevalence from one area to another,” Jonker said. “We need to know where elk are most affected and least affected to inform management of this disease.”
Survey teams of two will need binoculars and a reliable vehicle. Experience in using GPS and Internet access are preferred, but not required.
The department will reimburse volunteers for mileage during the survey and some commuting distance.
There are no proven options for treating the crippling disease in the field nor is a vaccine available at this time.
In a separate study, state wildlife managers plan to capture and fit elk with radio collars to determine how the disease is affecting elk survival and reproduction.
