Toxic plant to blame for death of Bitterroot elk calves
Japanese yew.
At least five elk calves were killed in mid-January in the Florence area of the Bitterroot Valley due to ingestion of toxic ornamental plants.
The calves were found by homeowners in the area between Jan. 15 and 23. Examinations conducted on two of the calves revealed high quantities of toxic Japanese yew (Taxus cuspidata) in their stomachs, and an examination of properties in the area revealed several of the plants that had been browsed. The homeowner voluntarily removed the plants.
Japanese yew, an evergreen, tree-like shrub native to East Asia, is a popular landscaping plant, commonly planted around homes and walkways. The plant becomes especially dangerous to wildlife in the winter, when heavy snows can force ungulates closer to homes in search of food.
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