Poached elk meat possibly tainted, public warned

Conservation officers are advising the public not to eat elk meat killed by poachers near the Vancouver Island community of Youbou, on the north shore of Cowichan Lake.

The warning comes after the remains of two illegally-killed elk were found October 15 outside Youbou. 

It was very close to the spot where a bull elk, nicknamed "Line Dancer", was tranquilized so it could be freed from debris tangled around its head and mouth.

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Conservation Officer Peter Pauwels is not certain if Line Dancer was one of the poached animals, but says it can be easily identified by the tag in its ear.

"In case somebody's illegally taken this animal and notices an ear tag in it, you shouldn't be eating it because it's only been a few days since it was tranquilized," Pauwels said.

Pauwels said the drug used to tranquilize the elk hasn't been tested on humans, so it's not known how it could affect a person who ingests it.

"They might not feel well. It might make them drowsy," Pauwels said. "We really don't know for sure but we don't want to find out."

Residents of Youbou nicknamed the entangled Roosevelt elk "Line Dancer," because it had clothesline double-wrapped around his mouth.

The operation was intended to help protect it from injury during mating season when bull elk fight.

"One of our Duncan officers was able to get close enough to tranquilize and cut the rope and tarp away," Pauwels said.

Another bull elk, tangled in garden netting, was dubbed "Monster Mesh".