To control its elk population, Wind Cave will be reducing its elk herd by 40 to 60 animals this winter / NPS

From January 13 to February 14, backcountry areas of Wind Cave National Park in South Dakota will be closed to hikers during the week. Weekends and holidays will remain open to all comers.

This closure will allow park staff to undertake a management operation to reduce the presence of chronic wasting disease (CWD) in the park’s Rocky Mountain Elk population. This is becoming a regular occurence. Last year, 40 elk were removed from the park to combat spread of the disease. 

Chronic wasting disease is a deadly, neurological illness that affects deer, elk, moose, reindeer, and muntjac. In recent years, the disease has been found in parks around the country. 

Elk will be removed to maintain the population at the park’s desired target level. This action is consistent with the range of options presented in the Wind Cave Elk Management Plan/ Environmental Impact Statement signed in 2009. 

Park resource management staff will be taking approximately 40 to 60 animals in affected areas of the park during this time. Every animal taken will be tested for CWD. Meat from animals testing negative for CWD will then be donated to the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation.  

For the safety of park visitors, the park’s backcountry will be closed to allow for the safe removal of animals through this selective reduction of herd density. Backcountry areas will be open on weekends and holidays, and the park’s Red Valley and Highland Creek Roads will remain open the entire time.  

This operation is part of a long-range study being conducted with the USGS to determine if lower elk density levels correlate to lower CWD prevalence rates. This information will help inform federal and state wildlife managers regarding the long-term health of the species.