ElkTracks: Summer 2024
Discovery of novel treponeme bacteria
Discovery of novel treponeme bacteria
Early every year, we prepare a report to the Washington State Legislature to share information about progress the Washington State University program has made on elk hoof disease research and outreach in the previous calendar year.
Elk treponeme-associated hoof disease, previously thought to be limited to deformations in elks’ hooves, appears to create molecular changes throughout the animal’s system, according to WSU epigenetic research.
Research updates about elk treponeme-associated hoof disease.
Dr. Margaret Wild will present updates on elk hoof disease research conducted at Washington State University at three locations in July.
Mineral supplementation is not a clear answer to elk hoof disease.
While we don’t have ways to treat or cure elk with hoof disease in the wild, there are ways to help researchers and managers.
A disease in elk that causes deformed hooves and eventually leads to lameness and death is also associated with abnormal, asymmetrical antlers, a WSU‑led study of hunter reports found.
Learn more about our research and students.
Healthy elk can contract the rapidly spreading disease, known as TAHD, by simply walking on soil contaminated previously by infected hooves.