Survey: Most Support Md. Elk Reintroduction

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) -- A new survey finds nearly three-quarters of Marylanders support reintroducing elk in the state's western counties.

The rest were almost equally split among those opposing reintroduction and those who did not have an opinion. The
Department of Natural Resources released the survey results on Tuesday.

Elk have already been successfully reintroduced in Kentucky and Pennsylvania, and the DNR is partnering with sportsmen's groups to study reintroduction in Maryland. However, the proposal has run into opposition from county officials in Garrett County, who said they were not included in preliminary talks.

The survey was conducted for the department, the Maryland Legislative Sportsmen's Foundation and the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, which formed a partnership last year to determine the viability of elk reintroduction. A feasibility study is expected by Oct. 31.

(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)