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West Virginia Biologists Tracking Elk Relocated from Kentucky

Tom Tietz, 123rf stock photo

Biologists have put tracking collars on each of the 24 elk recently released in West Virginia from Land Between the Lakes. 

The Charleston Gazette-Mail reports the collars can be tracked by satellites using global positioning system transmitters while workers on the ground use radio transmitters to follow the elk's progress. 

The elk were relocated to West Virginia from Kentucky this month, the first time elk have roamed in West Virginia in more than 140 years.

State officials are concerned some of the herd might be killed by cars if they wander too far from the mountain tops.

Randy Kelley is elk project leader for the state Department of Natural Resources. He says the collars can be programmed to drop off the animals and can be reused later as the elk herd grows.

Matt Markgraf joined the WKMS team as a student in January 2007. He's served in a variety of roles over the years: as News Director March 2016-September 2019 and previously as the New Media & Promotions Coordinator beginning in 2011. Prior to that, he was a graduate and undergraduate assistant. He is currently the host of the international music show Imported on Sunday nights at 10 p.m.
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