Locals offer hoof rot explanation

Biologists looking into the cause of hoof rot disease in elk need to consider new options, Wahkiakum County Commissioner Dan Cothren said this week.

Cothren, an avid hunter, was instrumental in getting the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife to begin looking into the phenomenon, which is affecting elk between Mt. St. Helens and Willapa Bay. The disease causes abnormal growth in the hooves of elk, and they go lame.

Biologists haven't yet identified the cause of the disease. Cothren serves on an advisory committee the department formed to work on the investigation into the phenomenon.

He plans to introduce Dr. Boon Mora, a Skamokawa resident, to the committee next week so Mora can present a possible explanation: The animals are suffering leptospirosis disease, something that is often misdiagnosed, Mora has suggested.

"From what I see out there, I think he's on the right course," Cothren said.

Cothren added that it will be difficult to get department personnel to accept the theory because of political considerations, but he'll make the presentation.