Like white-tailed deer, elk are susceptible to bovine tuberculosis (TB). Because the elk range lies within an area shared by TB-infected deer, the risk of transmission to elk is very real. Research and experience with elk and red deer in other countries suggests that should TB become established in Michigan's elk herd, it could spread more rapidly than it has in deer. Since May 1996, 1,799 elk have been tested for TB; in both 2000 and 2001, one elk tested positive for TB. Two tested positive in 2003 and one tested positive in 2006. No elk tested positive in 2007 or 2008. Four of the five positive elk were from Montmorency County and one from Presque Isle County. Because elk and deer normally avoid each other in the wild, evidence suggests these elk probably were infected from feeding at man-made feed sites or bait piles intended for deer. Testing of elk for TB is mandatory, and all successful hunters must turn in the head of their elk for testing. For more information about TB in Elk and for checking the bovine TB and CWD laboratory results of your harvested elk, go to www.michigan.gov/bovinetb