WIND CAVE NATIONAL PARK - Forty-five elk in Wind Cave National Park were fitted with tracking collars in the fourth year of a study to monitor movements of the park's herd.

Twenty-two cow elk and 23 bull elk were captured in nets shot from a helicopter and then fitted with global positioning system collars that record their location every seven hours.

In December 2009, the collars will be remotely released and collected so the movement information can be downloaded. It will be used for an Environmental Impact Statement and elk management plan being developed in conjunction with the state Department of Game, Fish & Parks.

The park herd, estimated at 600 to 650 head, has been growing since the park quit shipping extra elk elsewhere because they might have chronic wasting disease. There is no hunting season in the park.

Some private landowners in the area complain that the elk move onto their land and eat crops and hay meant for livestock.