41 Elk Drown In Eastern Oregon

Eastern Oregon made national news on Tuesday when 41 head of elk died after falling through the ice.

RICHLAND, Ore. (AP) – Officials say an elk herd has died after the animals fell through the ice at a reservoir in east Oregon.

The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife said in a Facebook post that 41 elk died Tuesday on the Powder River arm of Brownlee Reservoir.

The Baker City Herald reports someone who lives near the reservoir called to report the incident. Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife Biologist Brian Ratliff told the newspaper the elk were trying to cross the reservoir from the north side when the ice broke in four places.

Officials drove to the area to see if it was possible to save any of the elk or salvage meat, but Ratliff said neither option was possible.

The reservoir is about 40 miles east of Baker City.

Although this kind of tragedy is rare, it is not completely uncommon. Just last year 31 elk drown in the Snake River along the Idaho/ Wyoming border, their combined estimated weight was over 18,000 lbs. and last year in Pagosa Springs, CO 21 elk drown on the Echo Canyon Reservoir.

Representatives pointed out that people shouldn't actually try to remove or help elk in this type of situation should they come upon a situation like this as it's actually unfolding. The risks are significant since the animals are so large – typically weighing between 300 and 1,000 pounds. The reality of the situation is there really isn't a lot that we can do to prevent something like this from happening. If you happen to find yourself in in a similar event, please be sure to contact your local fish and game authorities immediately.