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Undocumented elk intercepted at Missouri’s border
MDC
Nov 2007
A tip from an Oklahoma wildlife officer enabled Missouri conservation
agents to intercept the illegal interstate shipment.
JOPLIN, Mo.-Cooperation with Oklahoma wildlife officials allowed
Missouri conservation agents to intercept an uncertified interstate
shipment of elk. Quick action safeguarded the health of Missouri's
wildlife and domestic livestock, according to Conservation Agent Travis
McLain.
McLain said the shipment came to Missouri officials' attention Sept.
26, when an Oklahoma wildlife officer called Conservation Agent Adam
Bracken. Getting McLain in on a conference call, the Oklahoma officer
informed the two conservation agents that he had just stopped three
stock trailers headed for a game farm in Missouri. The trailers
contained five adult bull elk, three young elk bulls and two elk cows.
The men transporting the elk had no documentation indicating that the
animals came from a facility that monitors for animal health concerns.
Bracken was waiting at the Missouri-Oklahoma border to intercept the
trailers. When he stopped them, one of the drivers said the animals were
part of a shipment of 32 elk to be delivered to a big game farm near
Ridgely, Mo. He said he believed that he did not need certification for
transportation, because they were slated to be shot by clients who would
pay to do so, in what are commonly called "canned hunts."
Bracken and McLain instructed the men transporting the elk not to
release them. The next day the Missouri and Oklahoma departments of
agriculture looked into the matter and learned that the shippers did not
have the required import permits or health papers.
Based on this information, Missouri agriculture officials would not
allow the elk to remain in Missouri. Oklahoma officials would not permit
them to return to Oklahoma. The elk's owners decided to slaughter the
elk.
Greg Baker, 41, of Springdale, Ark., was the driver of one of the
trucks bringing the elk to Missouri. He also is the permit holder for
Hidden Spring Big Game Farm, the facility where the animals were headed.
McLain issued Baker a citation for illegally importing wildlife into
Missouri. Baker pleaded guilty in Barry County and paid a fine. Federal
officials also are looking into the matter.
Transporting wildlife or livestock across state borders without
documentation is unlawful and has serious implications for wildlife and
animal agriculture. Moving elk or deer between states without first
checking their health creates the potential for spreading diseases.
If you have questions about transporting wildlife across state lines,
contact the nearest conservation agent or Conservation Department
office.
-Jim Low-
MDC
Nov 2007
A tip from an Oklahoma wildlife officer enabled Missouri conservation
agents to intercept the illegal interstate shipment.
JOPLIN, Mo.-Cooperation with Oklahoma wildlife officials allowed
Missouri conservation agents to intercept an uncertified interstate
shipment of elk. Quick action safeguarded the health of Missouri's
wildlife and domestic livestock, according to Conservation Agent Travis
McLain.
McLain said the shipment came to Missouri officials' attention Sept.
26, when an Oklahoma wildlife officer called Conservation Agent Adam
Bracken. Getting McLain in on a conference call, the Oklahoma officer
informed the two conservation agents that he had just stopped three
stock trailers headed for a game farm in Missouri. The trailers
contained five adult bull elk, three young elk bulls and two elk cows.
The men transporting the elk had no documentation indicating that the
animals came from a facility that monitors for animal health concerns.
Bracken was waiting at the Missouri-Oklahoma border to intercept the
trailers. When he stopped them, one of the drivers said the animals were
part of a shipment of 32 elk to be delivered to a big game farm near
Ridgely, Mo. He said he believed that he did not need certification for
transportation, because they were slated to be shot by clients who would
pay to do so, in what are commonly called "canned hunts."
Bracken and McLain instructed the men transporting the elk not to
release them. The next day the Missouri and Oklahoma departments of
agriculture looked into the matter and learned that the shippers did not
have the required import permits or health papers.
Based on this information, Missouri agriculture officials would not
allow the elk to remain in Missouri. Oklahoma officials would not permit
them to return to Oklahoma. The elk's owners decided to slaughter the
elk.
Greg Baker, 41, of Springdale, Ark., was the driver of one of the
trucks bringing the elk to Missouri. He also is the permit holder for
Hidden Spring Big Game Farm, the facility where the animals were headed.
McLain issued Baker a citation for illegally importing wildlife into
Missouri. Baker pleaded guilty in Barry County and paid a fine. Federal
officials also are looking into the matter.
Transporting wildlife or livestock across state borders without
documentation is unlawful and has serious implications for wildlife and
animal agriculture. Moving elk or deer between states without first
checking their health creates the potential for spreading diseases.
If you have questions about transporting wildlife across state lines,
contact the nearest conservation agent or Conservation Department
office.
-Jim Low-
