Elk monitoring in Mount Rainier and Olympic national parks: 2008 ‒ 2017 synthesis report

A decade-long study (2008–2017) reveals that elk populations in Mount Rainier National Park's North Rainier TCA increased at a mean annual rate of 3.9% despite seasonal and weather variability, while the South Rainier TCA showed no significant trend. Researchers developed refined aerial-bias-correction models using double-observer sightability trials (148 radio-collared and 1,653 non-radio groups) to adjust raw counts for detection biases tied to group size, vegetation density, lighting, and movement—improving accuracy across both parks. The study also identified shifts in elk distribution and population composition, with mean densities of 3.5 and 5.3 elk/km² in the North and South TCAs, respectively. These findings underscore the importance of standardized monitoring protocols for long-term wildlife conservation efforts.

Jenkins, K., Lubow, B., Happe, P., Braun, K., Boetsch, J., Baccus, W., Chestnut, T., Vales, D., Moeller, B., Tirhi, M., Holman, E., & Griffin, P. (2021). Elk monitoring in Mount Rainier and Olympic national parks: 2008 ‒ 2017 synthesis report (, Ed.). National Park Service. https://doi.org/10.36967/nrr-2286864