Elk once roamed throughout Tennessee but were eliminated by the mid-19th century. This extirpation was primarily due to uncontrolled hunting and widespread habitat loss following European settlement. Nearly 150 years later, a concerted conservation effort succeeded in bringing the species back. This successful reintroduction established a free-ranging herd, raising questions about its current size and location.
The History of Elk Reintroduction in Tennessee
The modern effort to restore elk began when the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) proposed a restoration project in the late 1990s. The initial release of fifty elk occurred in December 2000 onto the North Cumberland Wildlife Management Area. These animals were the Manitoban subspecies, sourced from Elk Island National Park in Alberta, Canada.
The reintroduction program continued for eight years, with the TWRA releasing a total of 201 elk by 2008. Additional animals were brought in from the herd at Land Between the Lakes, which descended from the Canadian stock. The conservation goal was to restore a self-sustaining population that would provide wildlife viewing opportunities and an eventual hunting resource.
Current Population Estimates and Monitoring
The TWRA estimates the Tennessee elk population to be between 400 and 450 animals. This represents the successful growth of the herd over the past two decades. Wildlife biologists monitor the herd using various techniques to track the population’s health and distribution.
A primary method is the mark-resight survey, which relies on identifying animals fitted with tracking collars. The agency conducts helicopter captures to place radio collars on pregnant cows and newborn calves, allowing researchers to gather data on survival rates and habitat use. Although a 2016 survey estimated the population at 349, counting animals is difficult in the rugged, forested terrain of the Cumberland Plateau. The agency manages the herd relative to the biological carrying capacity of the restoration area, which is believed to support up to 2,000 elk.
Designated Elk Restoration Zones
The elk population is restricted to the Elk Restoration Zone (ERZ). This zone encompasses approximately 670,000 acres in the Cumberland Plateau region of East Tennessee. The ERZ was chosen because it contains a large amount of public land and minimal agricultural development, which reduces the potential for human-wildlife conflict.
The restoration zone spans portions of five counties: Scott, Morgan, Campbell, Anderson, and Claiborne. Much of the herd is concentrated around the North Cumberland Wildlife Management Area, which serves as the core habitat. The habitat includes mixed hardwood forests and open areas, such as reclaimed surface coal mines that have reverted to grasslands, providing ideal grazing areas. The elk are non-migratory and are actively managed to remain within the established boundaries.