As a resident of Elkhorn, I am saddened by the Sun Valley Elkhorn Association's decision to deny the Wood River Elk Trust II the opportunity to provide winter feeding resources to our local elk population. While I understand the negative implications that feeding wildlife have on the health and safety of the herd, once it's started we have a responsibility to continue to provide care for those populations. Unfortunately, after 30 years of supplemental feeding, these elk have become dependent on these resources.
During the winter of 2007, the ridge feeding of these elk was suddenly terminated after the threat of lawsuit by Sagewillow residents aimed at protecting the landscaping on private residences. This resulted in the elk population spreading throughout the neighborhood. These poor creatures were seen regularly walking down our streets, emaciated and coming into close contact to pets, people and cars. At one point while my husband and I were relaxing in our living room, an elk cow and her starving calf became so desperate for a meal that they came onto our deck and were staring in at us through a window.
By discontinuing the feeding of this herd, we will once again be literally face to face with the starving herd. I believe this will cause concerned individuals to act and once again individually provide for these animals. And, these half-starved animals will not move onto other areas, but instead battle starvation right before our eyes.
As a resident of this community, I believe we are guests to this once wilderness area. I love that I live in a community surrounded by wilderness. I accept that the cost of this luxury may be my landscaping.
Our Elkhorn community earned its name for having been developed on this herd's winter feeding grounds. We have a responsibility to them.
Kristine Sedlack
Sun Valley
