Nearly 30 elk escape ranch

Nearly 30 elk escaped Broadmouth Canyon Ranch in the Blackfoot Mountains Sunday.

The hunting ranch is owned and operated by former NFL player Rulon Jones. As required by law, Jones notified the Department of Agriculture within 24 hours of discovering the escape.

Scott Leibsle, Deputy State Veterinarian for the Idaho State Department of Agriculture, said 28 elk escaped Sunday. As of Tuesday afternoon, Leibsle said five had been shot and all but one elk had been recaptured. He added that the lone, unaccounted-for elk is believed to be wounded or dead. If that elk isn’t captured within seven days of the escape, it will become property of the state of Idaho

A neighbor of the ranch told Local News 8 that he was concerned that the domesticated elk could have chronic wasting disease and mingle with wild elk.

Leibsle said that would be highly unlikely.

“If there are any fears of chronic wasting disease, you know, there’s never been a positive in domestic or wild elk in the state of Idaho ever,” said Leibsle. “Given the fact that the animals were outside of the facility for such a short period of time, I don’t think anybody should have any fears that there’s any risk of disease transmission, especially chronic wasting disease.”

Leibsle said Broadmouth Canyon Ranch was last inspected July 14, 2014. He said the fences and the rest of the ranch had met state requirements.