Canada releases once-infested elk herd

WHITEHORSE, Yukon, Aug. 8 (UPI) -- Canadian wildlife officials in the Yukon Territory released a herd of elk that had been rounded up to rid them of an infestation of winter ticks.

The release Thursday near Whitehorse was part of an experiment to control the infestation detected among elk in March 2007, the Canadian Broadcasting Corp., reported Friday.

The ticks don't pose health hazards to elk but can be fatal to moose, government biologist Rick Ward told reporters.

"We captured the elk before the ticks had dropped off in late spring and we've held them until all the ticks have dropped off," Ward said. "Now we're ready to release them because we're confident that they're clean of ticks."

He said the ticks the herd shed would die in the enclosure.

The herd was wary when gates were opened but were lured out with bales of hay, the report said.

Ward said the same herd and another one would be recaptured and isolated next year to see if the infestation can be managed.