Missouri Department of Conservation Seeks to Reintroduce Elk Species.

Intro:	Missouri's Conservation Department proposes three Missouri counties share their land with a once native species. Erica Coghill has more from Jefferson City.
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Wrap: Ten years ago Missouri's Department of Conservation proposed the reintroduction of the native elk species. Ten years later, they are re-visiting the idea.

If the Conservation Commission approves the proposal in mid- October, the elk will be placed in three Missouri Counties.

Deer Biologist Lonnie Hansen says Carter, Shannon and Reynolds counties seem like ideal locations for the elk.

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Description: "It fit kind of our criteria, little agriculture, low road density, um high public ownership and, and so I think, you know, it fits, fits the criteria that we feel will minimize the potential for conflicts and those things."

Criteria that will help avoid some public concerns like car accidents and crop and fence damage.

From Jefferson City, I'm Erica Coghill.

Intro:	For the second time around Missouri's Conservation Department proposes the reintroduction of elk. Erica Coghill has more from Jefferson City.
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Wrap: Missouri's Department of Conservation is re-hatching a 10 year old proposal.

Deer Biologist Lonnie Hansen says the Conservation Commission initially didn't approve the proposal out of concern for a fatal deer disease.

They made a decision to hold off until the department could learn more about Chronic Wasting Disease.

Ten years later, Hansen says they've learned more.

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Description: "There's some chronic wasting disease-free states that uh, we feel would be safe sources of elk, but there's also a test that's been developed, a live animal test for elk that we can use to further ensure that we wouldn't bring the disease in."

The department has spoken with Kentucky and Arkansas about bringing in elk from those states.

Two states Hansen says have successfully reintroduced elk.

From Jefferson City, I'm Erica Coghill.

Intro:	Missouri's Department of Conservation is looking to reintroduce a once native species. Erica Coghill has more from Jefferson City.
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Wrap: The Missouri Conservation Department is proposing a reintroduction of elk in three Missouri counties.

Some Missourians worry that the large elk will pose a threat on the roads.

But Deer Biologist Lonnie Hansen says that's not the case.

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Description: "Arkansas is an example, they had a herd of about 500 elk and turned them loose in the mid-1980's and uh, and basically, they see one to two elk vehicle accidents a year and there have been no human fatalities."

He said the Conservation Departement has used other states like Kentucky and Arkansas as a model.

Hansen said those states have experienced economic benefits from the elk because of tourism and hunting.

From Jefferson City, I'm Erica Coghill.