Though elk herds wandered the grasslands and forests throughout the expedition, they played the most prominent role during the winter at Fort Clatsop. Tired of salmon, the Corps of Discovery ate elk and used the skins for clothing and livestock harnesses. Elk were nearly wiped out in North America, along with many other large mammals, during the 1800s. In response, President Theodore Roosevelt set aside habitat including the National Elk Refuge. A success story, the return of the elk from 40,000 to 1 million today shows what can be done if habitat preservation is a priority. The variety of elk that fed Lewis and Clark in the winter of 1805-1806 at Fort Clatsop are the Roosevelt elk subspecies, named for Theodore Roosevelt.

Not listed.