Ongoing Drought Endangering Arizona Elk and Deer Wildlife Populations Near the Grand Canyon

Ongoing Drought Endangering Arizona Elk and Deer
Wildlife Populations Near the Grand Canyon

Donations and volunteers are needed to purchase material and build wildlife water catchments and provide transportation to haul water to remote Arizona wildlife locations

Phoenix, Ariz., August 7, 2006 – The Arizona Elk Society (AES) (www.arizonaelksociety.org), in partnership with the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation are elk conservation organizations dedicated to protecting wildlife and habitat in the state of Arizona, announced today that the group is raising donations and seeking volunteer help to provide badly needed water to Arizona wildlife populations such as Deer and Elk in Game Unit 9. Game Unit 9, which is located just south of the Grand Canyon, is facing severe drought conditions that are withering vegetation and creating severe hardships caused by years of very dry winters and below average precipitation. (see map below)

“The drought in 2006 is much more relentless than it has been for the last couple of years in Northern Arizona and it may turn out to be worse than it was in 2002,” said Steve Clark, the Arizona Elk Society’s Vice President. “The good news is that the AES and RMEF are currently organizing a huge water catchments renovation project aimed at curtailing these conditions as much possible.”

Clark continued, “And while we have a good base of volunteers that have pledged their assistance to the effort, we are drastically in need of more financial funds to pay for materials and the heavy equipment needed to repair older “watering guzzler” catchments and construct new ones. It also costs a significant amount of money to buy the water and haul it to where the animals need it most. Anyone who would like to make a donation can do so by check or credit card by calling the AES office.”

How does drought affect wildlife?

Wildlife such as elk and deer normally can be found within a several mile radius of natural watering sources during the hot summer months. But when water holes dry up, animal herds are forced to search for new sources of moisture. As water resources continue to dwindle, more and more animals are forced to share the last remaining watering holes. When too many animals are drawn into a small area, over population occurs and the herds consume all of the food available. As water resources dry up the elk and other wildlife are reluctant to leave the area and die.

Adult animals are better equipped to survive droughts, but many times female deer and elk become so weak from their lack of water and poor habitat that they can't produce milk, and their young are so fragile that they can't feed.

What is the best way to provide drought relief for wildlife?

The best way to solve this problem is to build man made “water guzzlers” that are spread out over a very large geographic area. When there are numerous sources of water, animals remain spread out instead of congregating at only a few sparse locations. Water guzzlers use big sheets of corrugated steel to catch rain water and store in 20,000 gallon tanks. The water is then fed into small water troughs that allow animals to drink, but protects against rapid evaporation. (see the Q&A for details and photos). During periods of drought, water trucks are used to refill the drinkers.

The following items are available to supplement this story:

A 100-word condensed news brief
A 1,000-word byline article ready for publication
A 2,000 word Q&A on drought condition, water hauling and wildlife water guzzler systems
Electronic photos (72/300 dpi) of water guzzlers, drinkers and AES volunteers

Where are the worst Arizona wildlife conditions?

According to research compiled by the Arizona Game and Fish, AES, RMEF and other wildlife conservation partners, one area in Northern Arizona is in severe need of wildlife drinking water or portions of the herds may perish.

The conditions for animals in Game Unit 9 are so dismal that even most of the dependable tanks in the area that hold water year after year have gone dry. Elk, deer and other wildlife are now totally dependent on manmade water-catching devices know as “water guzzlers” situated throughout the forest to find water. (A map of the area can be downloaded from: http://www.azgfd.gov/h_f/hunting_units_9.shtml )

What plan of action does the AES have in place to deal with drought conditions in Unit 9? A decision was made by the Arizona Game and Fish, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and the Arizona Elk Society to focus on providing sustainable water for wildlife in a region of known as Wildlife Management unit 9 south of the Grand Canyon. This management unit is famous worldwide for its consistent production of trophy bull elk and mule deer.

What are the goals and objectives of this drought relief program?
1. Renovate existing water guzzlers, trick tanks and catchments
2. Build new water catchments and stock tanks to spread out wildlife populations
3. Build a new pipeline that will automatically deliver water to some existing and new tanks.
4. Clean and seal old dirt stock tanks.

How does the AES plan to fund the renovations, construction and water delivery project?

The Arizona Elk Society is seeking help from local volunteers, businesses and conservation groups to ease drought conditions for wildlife. The largest pledge of money is needed is repair damaged watering systems and build new ones. Supporters can call the AES directly at (623) 594-7074 or donate money online with a credit card at the www.arizonelksociety.com website. The organization predicts that it will need to raise more the $1,000,000 to fund the two-year project in full.

Free AES Newsletter

For supporters that want to keep track of this project and others, the Arizona Elk Society produces a free monthly email newsletter that will provide a complete status report on the success of the project. To sign up for a free copy, please visit: http://www.arizonaelksociety.com/aesnewsletter.asp Or you may choose to become a member, visit www.arizonaelksociety.org for membership forms.

About the Arizona Elk Society

Founded in 2001 and headquartered in Phoenix, Ariz., the Arizona Elk Society is a 501-c3 nonprofit organization dedicated to ensuring the future of elk, other wildlife and their habitat. The Arizona Elk Society has raised in excess of $1,716,000.00 that has been matched with funds from other partners for water projects, habitat restoration, and more, totaling $6,600,000.00. The Arizona Elk Society currently has over 1,000 members and is proud of the fact that all of the workers and Board are 100% volunteer. Through a series of projects that include water hauling, grassland burns and seeding, juniper, pinion and pine tress thinning, fence modification and removal, cattle grazing allotment reconfiguration and other efforts, the Arizona Elk Society proactively improves the quality of Arizona’s natural wildlife ecosystem, and ensures that elk and other game will enjoy a successful environment to live in and raise their young.

# # #

AES Contact
Arizona Elk Society
Steve Clark
Office: (623) 594-7074
Cell: (602) 885-0835
mailto: rthrbhntng@cox.net
www.arizonaelksociety.com

Media Contact
Front Page Public Relations
Robert Hoskins
Office: (480) 218-4441
Cell: (602) 326-0940
rhoskins@frontpagepr.com
www.frontpagepr.com