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Apr 27, 2023

Death and (minimal) decay on the National Elk Refuge

National Elk Refuge wildlife biologist Amy Girard removes the lymph nodes from a

National Elk Refuge wildlife biologist Amy Girard removes the lymph nodes from a winter-killed calf elk in early April near the feed shed on the north end of Miller Butte. Refuge officials said they’ve been pleasantly surprised to receive all negative results for chronic wasting disease from nodes sent away for testing.

The dead elk calf was tucked away behind the National Elk Refuge's feed barn, its eyes and tongue picked clean.

But Amy Girard, the Elk Refuge's newest wildlife biologist, still wanted a piece of it.

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Lymph nodes were removed from a winter-killed calf elk during a necropsy in early April. The nodes are the primary way to test for the presence of CWD.

Girard turns open the gas valves on the Elk Refuge's new incinerator before placing dead elk inside. The chamber that holds decomposing ungulates reaches 1,800 degrees for about 15 minutes per burn cycle, a temperature that biologists believe will render disease-causing prions inert.

A puff of smoke from the diesel engine during startup is the only visible sign of emissions from the National Elk Refuge's incinerator during operation.

A window into the incinerator's combustion chamber, an indicator that the contraption is operational.

Girard examines a winter-killed calf elk for hoof rot during a necropsy in early April on the north side of Miller Butte.

Girard dumps a elk calf's carcass into the agency's incinerator in early April. She said the incinerator can hold between six and 10 elk carcasses, depending on their size.

Girard gathers her tools after performing a necropsy. Her gear includes a knife, scalpel, reciprocating saw (for sawing through bone) and hammer (for splintering it).

A cart full of winter-kill elk waiting to be incinerated on the National Elk Refuge.

Girard drives by herds of elk north of Miller Butte earlier this month.

Contact Billy Arnold at 732-7063 or [email protected].

Environmental Reporter

Billy Arnold has been covering the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem and the people who manage it since January 2022. He previously spent two years covering Teton County government, and a year editing Scene. Tips welcomed.

Brad Boner has worked as a photojournalist for 25 years and has directed the News&Guide's visuals since 2004. He lives on the west side of the Tetons with his wife, two kids, a grumpy cat and Rosie the red heeler.

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