Multiple elk have died in the past month after eating highly poisonous plants in Montana. It would appear that these plants aren't naturally growing but a highly toxic shrub in a subdivision.
According to a press release issued by Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP), five elk calves died in January. They ate a Japanese yew, which is a non-native plant. It's not the first time that something like this has happened. In Idaho, more than 20 elk and 50 pronghorn antelope have died from eating the poisonous plant.
The press release read, "Japanese yew is also suspected to have killed several yearling elk that same year between Hamilton and Darby, and again east of Hamilton after the heavy snowfall of February 2019. Two moose died in Idaho in 2022 and 2023 after ingesting the plant. White-tailed deer appear to be unaffected, though mule deer are susceptible. Humans, pets and domestic livestock can also be poisoned by ingesting the plant. "
It's a sad misfortune for the animal, which moved into residential areas searching for food.
Elk Die After Eating Yard Plant
Following the deaths of the elk, officials removed the yew plants from the yards in the subdivision. It takes just a small amount, less than 1 percent of an elk body weight to kill it.
"The elk we necropsied here at the wildlife health lab had a large amount of yew - leaves, stems and seeds - in it's rumen," FWP Wildlife Veterinarian Jennifer Ramsey said. "Yew toxicity often causes sudden death, commonly within two to four hours after ingestion."
The press release described the plant as, "Japanese yew has flat, green leaves that are darker on the top than on the bottom, with 1- to 1.25-inch needles spiraling around the stem. Female plants produce bright red berries in late summer/early fall, while male plants produce flowers that may resemble tiny Brussels sprouts. All parts of the plant are toxic. "
