This was headline news in the Albuquerque Journal. This "sickness" started way up north in Montana and spread South all the way through the Rockies to Northern New Mexico. Thousands of elk effected. It appears to be some kind of virus but it does not seem to have any impact on human beings.
They are trying to determine what this is. And, if I could be on the Ranch in November, I would obviously see the impact if this continues to spread as elk move from the mountains to the lower grass areas to have food and shelter. Could be a bad winter for the elk and a lot of carcasses found on the ground. Well, the scavengers will have a field day but it also could effect them.
This is just another way that Nature provides for Natural Selection. What this might teach us is that we should allow more licenses for hunting and extend the season so the herds can be culled. Elk are fairly prolific and generally have a good survival rate. This may rethink the policy on males only and open this up to the female population.
Actually, this is in the area of my ranch, although I am further North. It's interesting that they say something about the lack of water. I know that there is water in my area, but if this is transmitted by bug bites......ummmmmm?
Such is life.
Ed
