Tell Point Reyes to bring in water for the elk NOW

Hi All

1. I hope you are all safe.  California is on fire, Point Reyes is on fire, and we are all feeling the effects of this.  People could lose their homes, people have evacuated their homes, people are breathing in smoke... and all during a global pandemic.  These are unprecedented times, and I hope you all have ways to support yourselves and your community. 

2. forELK is also very concerned with the wildlife in Point Reyes.  

Prior to the fires, we had people looking at the water in the Pierce Point Elk Preserve (more like the elk zoo.)  This is the big peninsula where the biggest herd of Tule elk live.  They are trapped behind an 8-foot fence and their only access to freshwater are about 8 human-made ponds.   The ponds we were able to see so far are DRY.  This means there is little to no water.  A friend documented an elk that died recently of a broken neck.  We believe it is possible this elk died while traversing the steep cliffs to access the seep, one of the places where there might be freshwater left. That on top of wildfires burning in the park leads me to have great concern for the lives of the Tule elk.  When the ponds dried in 2016, nearly 250 elk-- half the herd-- died.  We do not want this to happen again. 

We will be compiling more information and data on this ASAP and will alert you when we have a press release.  Until then, we need your help.  Will you contact the park ASAP and ask them to bring in water to the Tule elk reserve TODAY.  

Please help us.  Call and email the acting superintendent of Point Reyes and leave a message.  

Call: 415-464-55102
Email: Woody_Smeck@nps.gov

Sample script: 
Hello, my name is _______. I am calling to ask you to bring in fresh water to the Tule elk in Pierce Point.  Several of the ponds have dried up.  When this happened in 2016, half the Tule elk herd died.  You cannot let this happen again.  It is your job to protect wildlife.   And if possible, please take down the fence. Tule elk should be able to roam free to access the rivers and streams as needed.  They should be able to flee if they need from the wildfires should anything happen. 

Thank you so much.  
With love to all wild spaces, 
Diana & the ForELK team.