BROOKINGS, S.D. — A recent semi-truck collision Nov. 25 with a bull elk south of Brookings has drawn attention to the risks of wildlife on South Dakota roadways.
The incident occurred along Interstate 29 when a semi-truck struck a bull elk, breaking its legs. Although the truck driver was unharmed, the elk sustained serious injuries, and the decision was made to put the animal down.
Nick Harrington, communications manager for South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks, said the accident serves as a reminder of the potential hazards that wildlife pose on roads, especially during this time of year.
“It’s certainly not something you see every day, especially with elk, but it’s not uncommon either,” Harrington said. “When you get prairie elk moving around, it can be a situation where animals end up on the road.”
Harrington noted that the fall rutting season, which involves the breeding activity of many wildlife species, increases animal movement. For elk, the rut is a time of heightened activity, which makes it more likely for them to wander onto roadways. While elk are not commonly seen in eastern South Dakota, they do roam across the prairies and wooded areas, particularly in more rural settings.
“This is the time of the year that the rut is going on. So you're naturally going to see a lot of movement in animals,” Harrington said. “This is really when you see kind of that peak activity as they both rut and kind of get prepping for winter, essentially. So it's always important to be on the look out as motorists.”
According to Harrington, the bull elk will be tested for Chronic Wasting Disease, a fatal neurological disorder that affects members of the cervid family, including elk and deer. CWD is caused by prions, which cause degeneration in the brain and are ultimately fatal to the animal. While it does not affect humans or livestock, authorities take precautions, especially when handling or donating wild game meat.
“It's essentially a brain disease. When it infects an animal, the animal might seem perfectly healthy, and as the disease progresses, it's ultimately going to be fatal for that animal,” Harrington said. “It wouldn't impact cattle or anything like that. Studies really indicate that it wouldn’t cross the species boundary into humans. But, we just always want to be careful, especially when you're donating meat like that.”
Harrington said that if testing turns out negative, the bull elk meat will be donated to South Dakota Sportsmen Against Hunger, a non-profit group that facilitates the donation of wild game meat to South Dakota families in need.
“It'll be a good use of a bad situation,” Harrington said.
Although collisions with elk are rare, wildlife-related accidents are more common during the fall months. Harrington said it’s important to slow down and watch for animal activity during these months.
“I would always say, especially this time of year when you're driving, be careful,” Harrington said. “Always be on the lookout when you're driving, especially in the mornings and evenings.”
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