Four years ago, 152 tule elk died in Tomales Point simply because a fence prevented them from finding sufficient food and water. Years of drought and a changing climate reduced the availability of water from once-readily running springs and seeps, and also consistently reduced the quality and nutrition of the forage available on Tomales Point. The elk fence confining the Tomales Point herd was erected in 1978 as part of the reintroduction of tule elk to the Point Reyes National Seashore.
Although tule elk are native to the area, they had been completely eradicated due to hunting and ranching activities. The fence was originally intended to protect the newly reintroduced herd by isolating the animals, but because the elk on Tomales Point cannot escape their enclosed peninsula, they’re at the mercy of water and forage availability within that restricted territory. The opportunity to free the Tomales Point tule elk herd from their captive situation is nigh, as the National Park Service (NPS) analyzes three options during its Tomales Point Area Plan Environmental Assessment at the Point Reyes National Seashore.
WildCare and Marin Humane are both in full support of “Alternative B” of the plan, which would bring down the 8-foot fence and allow the elk to roam freely enough to find water and food sources, even during times of drought. An important aspect of this process is the public comment period, which ends on Wednesday. Those in support of Alternative B can make their voic.