Join the Fight to Free the Tule Elk

Tule elk in Point Reyes National Seashore are trapped inside fenced areas. As a result, they suffer and die. Some elk can now even be legally executed by shooting them, in this national park unit, to reduce their numbers at the request of private beef and dairy operations renting 1/3rd of this public park.

Over 475 of this rare species of elk, native to California, have died in just 10 years at Point Reyes. The National Park Service favors the cattle industry over the welfare of Tule elk at Point Reyes, and ignores the public's preference for wild elk, not for-profit beef and dairy cows inside a national park. 

  • 254 Tule elk died between 2012 and 2015
  • 152 Tule elk died in the 2019-20 season
  • 72 more Tule elk died in the 2020-21 season
  • The most recent Park Service elk count was incomplete, but recorded upticks in two of the three herds that were counted

The Tule elk population at Point Reyes, instead of growing as it would with healthy, free elk, is being stifled and decimated. Fewer elk means less competition for the park's heavily taxpayer-subsidized beef, milk, and cheese businesses.

A donation today will help fund our work to:

  • keep the (approximately 500) Tule elk safe and alive in the short term
  • dismantle fences that keep elk captive, preventing herds from roaming free and flourishing
  • expel for-profit beef and dairy ranches (with approximately 4,500 cows), which are also the park's major sources of land (manure) pollution, water (bacterial) contamination and greenhouse (methane) gas generation in the park

We are determined and remain optimistic. We have turned the tide in a years-long public relations battle. News stories are now pro-elk and reveal cattle industry bias and ongoing damages. We are hard at work on the ground, organizing rallies and demonstrations, and on the airwaves, educating the public, and winning in our media advocacy, to change federal park policy under the U.S. Dept. of the Interior. 

Don't let Point Reyes ranchers get away with murder-for-profit. Please consider making a donation today to free the Tule elk… so more of these magnificent animals won't suffer and die and a national park can realize its potential to be safe, healthy, undisturbed haven for all its wild animals.

      

In Defense of Animals is involved in many projects to protect animals' rights, welfare, and habitats. Money contributed to In Defense of Animals supports ALL of our worthy programs and gives us the flexibility to respond to emerging needs. Thank you for your support and consideration.