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LINVILLE — The idea of reintroducing elk in the High Country has become a popular subject for some environmentalists in the community. However, the process required to complete a reintroduction is complicated, since it would take considerable effort from the state of North Carolina before elk once again roam throughout the smoky laurels of Northwestern North Carolina. The Appalachians’ native Eastern elk became extinct around the time of the late 18th century due to overhunting. Before European settlement, approximately 10 million elk lived in nearly all parts of the United States. Today, about one million elk live throughout the western regions of the United States and Canada, as well as Wisconsin, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Pennsylvania, Arkansas, Kentucky, Tennessee and Virginia.

United statesNorth carolinaGreat smoky mountains national parkUniversity of tennesseeJustin mcveyNational park serviceLand between the lakes national recreation areaCarolina wildlife resources commissionHigh countryNorthwestern northLand betweenLakes national recreation areaCataloochee valleyGreat smoky mountains nationalNorth carolina wildlife resources commissionWestern north carolinians