Victory For Tule Elk: Massive Eight-Foot Fence Blocking Access To Food & Water Will Be Removed

The Point Reyes National Seashore plans to remove a massive eight-foot fence in Tomales Point, which has long blocked Tule elk from obtaining essential resources such as food and water. This decision follows a June 2021 lawsuit addressing the elks’ dire conditions. Filed by the Animal Legal Defense Fund (ALDF) and local residents, the lawsuit received support from Harvard Law School’s Animal Law & Policy Clinic.

The lawsuit was filed as the Tule elk population in the region declined rapidly  due to lack of essential resources, worsened by ongoing drought conditions. The lawsuit argued that the National Park Service (NPS) failed to update its management plan for over 40 years, putting the elk at risk of starvation and dehydration. Although the district court initially sided with the NPS, the case was appealed in February 2023.

“The beloved Tule elk of the Point Reyes National Seashore have struggled to survive under worsening drought conditions without the natural resources they desperately need to thrive,” said Chris Green, ALDF’s Executive Director. “The decision to remove the fence after persistent advocacy will help support the remaining Tule elk and increase their chances of survival.”

Mary Hollingsworth, Director of Harvard’s Animal Law & Policy Clinic, also celebrated the move. “The decision to remove the elk enclosure fence is a critical step in ensuring the welfare of the Tule elk,” she said. The legal team, including Harvard students Rebecca Garverman and Kate Hendrix, played a key role in advocating for the elks’ survival.

As the lawsuit persisted, the National Park Service (NPS) started formulating a new management plan for Tomales Point. In October 2023, the Animal Legal Defense Fund (ALDF), alongside animal advocates and the Harvard Clinic, pushed for the NPS to adopt a revised version of its proposed action plan, known as “Alternative B.” This proposal ultimately became the final decision. The plan involves removing the fence to grant the elk access to essential resources such as food and water.

Tule elk, native to California, faced near-extinction in the 1800s. They were reintroduced to the state in the 1970s, and now number in the hundreds in Point Reyes, California. In 1978, the NPS erected an eight-foot fence around Tomales Point to separate the elk from nearby dairy ranches, restricting their access to food and water. Despite efforts to “manage” the population, the elks’ situation worsened, with more than 150 elk dying in 2020 alone due to starvation and dehydration.

The recently unveiled plan brings renewed hope for the survival of the Tule elk, granting them the freedom to roam and access vital resources. This development represents a major triumph for animal welfare organizations and local residents who have long championed the well-being of these majestic creatures.