Red Desert Elk Herd Threatened by Oil & Gas Development

by Mac Blewer

Desert elk are probably more sensitive to human disturbance than their forest cousins, due largely to the open nature of the desert and the general lack of dense trees and other security cover.

Using data collected between 1999 and 2001, a preliminary draft study of the Steamboat Mountain elk herd in the Red Desert found that desert elk avoided areas within 1.25 miles of active oil and gas wells and nearly a mile from major roads. The study was conducted by the Wyoming Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit at the University of Wyoming.

During the calving season and in the summer, the Steamboat elk herd sought out tall sage, aspen and mountain shrub for security cover. During the winter, the elk found cover in mountain mahogany habitat. Throughout the year, the animals used dunes and outcrop/badland habitats for security.

The study indicates that existing habitats and a low level of human disturbance in the Jack Morrow Hills Study area have provided sufficient security for desert elk.

"However," the study notes, "elk security may be threatened with increased levels of human activity and disturbance associated with gas and oil development efforts."

A final study is expected to be released this fall. Since the Bureau of Land Management's supplemental draft plan for the Jack Morrow Hills area is expected to be released some time in October or November, this data will be crucial in formulating a plan that protects the Steamboat Mountain elk herd.