JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — Missouri's elk population is about to double.
The Department of Conservation says 35 elk are expected to arrive May 18 at the Peck Ranch Conservation Area in southern Missouri. The animals are coming from Kentucky, where they were captured as part of an elk restoration agreement with Missouri.
This is the second year that Kentucky elk are being brought to Missouri. Last year, 49 elk were captured but 15 died before they ever made it to Missouri. Three more died of natural causes after making to Missouri.
Missouri's elk herd now consists of 31 adult animals and 5 calves that were born in the state.
The Conservation Commission has authorized the re-introduction of up to 150 elk over several years in parts of Shannon, Carter and Reynolds counties.