The Point Reyes National Seashore has announced plans to dismantle an eight-foot fence in Tomales Point that has long restricted Tule elk from accessing vital food and water sources. This decision follows years of advocacy and legal challenges, including a 2021 lawsuit led by the Animal Legal Defense Fund (ALDF) and local residents, with support from Harvard Law School’s Animal Law & Policy Clinic.
The fence’s removal comes in response to the dwindling Tule elk population, exacerbated by drought conditions and lack of resources. The lawsuit argued that the National Park Service (NPS) failed to update its elk management plan for over four decades, contributing to widespread starvation and dehydration among the elk. Despite an initial court ruling in favor of the NPS, the case was appealed in February 2023.
Chris Green, Executive Director of ALDF, celebrated the decision, calling it a significant step toward ensuring the elk’s survival. Mary Hollingsworth, Director of Harvard’s Animal Law & Policy Clinic, echoed these sentiments, praising the removal of the fence as critical for the elks’ welfare. Harvard students Rebecca Garverman and Kate Hendrix were also instrumental in advocating for the elk through the legal process.
Amid the legal battle, the NPS began developing a revised management plan for Tomales Point. In October 2023, after input from animal advocates and the Harvard Clinic, the NPS adopted “Alternative B,” a proposal to remove the fence and grant the elk access to natural resources.
Tule elk, native to California, nearly became extinct in the 1800s before being reintroduced in the 1970s. The fence, erected in 1978 to separate the elk from nearby dairy ranches, has since limited their range, worsening conditions during periods of drought. In 2020 alone, over 150 elk died due to starvation and dehydration, prompting calls for immediate action.
The decision to dismantle the fence marks a significant victory for animal welfare advocates and local communities. By granting Tule elk access to essential resources, the plan offers new hope for the survival and thriving of these iconic creatures in their natural habitat.