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Friday, May 24, 2013 | 1:12 p.m.

Updated: 2:50 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 30, 2006 | Posted: 2:45 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 30, 2006

St. Helens Wildlife Area Closing To Protect Elk



OLYMPIA, Wash. —

Beginning Sunday, public access will be closed to the Mount St. Helens Wildlife Area to reduce stress on wintering elk.

The state Department of Fish and Wildlife says the presence of humans can put additional stress on elk during times of cold temperatures and declining food supply.

More than 60 elk died of malnutrition and related causes last winter in the wildlife area at the foot of Mount St. Helens.

Earlier this month, wildlife biologists counted nearly 400 elk in the 27-hundred-acre wildlife area. The department says that number is likely to grow, depending on the severity of the winter.

The closure will last through April 30th.

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