- Author: Robert J Keiffer
Endemic to California is one of the state's largest mammals ... the Tule Elk (Cervus canadensis ssp. nannodes). Tule elk, once abundantly common in the Central Valley and oak-covered foothill regions of California, were on the verge of extinction after the on-slought of early market hunters and trappers, and the gold-rush 49ers. A late-1800's cattle baron, Henry Miller, discovered a remnant herd on his property and protected them, but after his death hunting once more resumed. The last herd was reduced to 72 animals.
The first successful relocation attempt occurred in 1933 when Walter Dow moved a small group of these elk to Owens Valley, where they flourished. Efforts by the Dept. of Fish & Game have established several permanent herds throughout California, including herds in Potter Valley, Mendocino National Forest, and Laytonville areas of Mendocino County.
Here at the UC Hopland Research & Extension Center we know that historically they occurred here from a very old shed antler dug from the gravels of Parson's Creek in 1907 ... which resides in our vertebrate museum collection. In the photo you see an nice mature bull from the Potter Valley herd quite at home in the oak woodland.