AR-News: (US)Mystery solved _ lichen killed off elk in southern Wyoming

[Animalconcerns]

Solving a puzzle that had baffled scientists across the country,
researchers concluded that the recent deaths of 304 elk in southern
Wyoming were caused by a mossy plant native to the Rockies.

State wildlife veterinarians suspected lichen as the culprit in the
die-off after finding it in the stomachs of many dead elk.

To confirm their suspicions, three elk were fed the plant at a research
center. One collapsed and was unable to rise Sunday. A second also started
stumbling, and a third is expected to be similarly afflicted. All three
will be destroyed. 
...
The first sick elk was found Feb. 6 and scientists quickly ruled out
chronic wasting disease, the deer and elk version of mad-cow disease. They
also eliminated most viruses and bacteria, malnutrition, exposure to heavy
metals such as arsenic, and poisoning from a leaky gas well or pipeline.

full story:
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/news/archive/2004/03/22/state1427EST7397.DTL

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