Elk grazing in meadow.

Rocky Mountain National Park is implementing the Elk and Vegetation Management Plan. The plan relies on a variety of conservation tools including fencing, elk redistribution, vegetation restoration and culling. Authorized agents, including qualified volunteers may assist the National Park Service (NPS) in culling operations under the direct supervision of NPS personnel. In cooperation with Colorado Division of Wildlife, Rocky Mountain National Park is seeking to recruit and train a group of volunteers to be qualified for the park's elk culling project.

Learn more about the requirements of becoming a volunteer Elk Cull Team Member.

A lottery process was developed for meat disbursement. The lottery closed on January 14, 2009. Each animal culled will be tested for Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD). Carcasses that test negative will be disbursed through lottery and informed consent, to a member of the public. Carcasses that test positive will be used to support a captive mountain lion study.