those elk have not been tested acording to the authorities. Rammel never let anyone in to observe the condition of the elk or their enclosures. And as far as infecting wild elk is concerned, the only way to test for some of the diseases (cronic wasting) is to sample the dead animals brain tissue which to my knowledge has not ever been done on those elk. Even if those elk are not cronic waste carriers, they are genetically modified (in the sense that they are crossed with European Red Deer) and can pass that on to wild Yellowstone elk. This isn't to say that I don't feel that the killing of his "private property" is the best course of action... it is the only one left in this situation, as Rammel did not try to re-capture his elk (or did so unsuccessfully) for a month or two I believe. So are you saying that you would rather let Rammel's elk wander at will and potentially (whether through unknown disease transmission or through genetic dilution)wreck the purest strain of Rockie Mountain Elk we have? No matter who you side with on this particular issue, no on is comming out smelling like roses on this one unfortunately.