BY KAREN BOSSICK

Two elk calves have been found dead after eating ornamental yew in the Warm Springs area of Ketchum.

The calves were found dead on Friday, Feb. 3. Fish and Game conservation officers confirmed the presence of yew in the elk but have yet to find the plant or plants that were ingested, said Terry Thompson, communications manager for Idaho Fish and Game Magic Valley Region.

A bull moose died in late January after eating yew at a residence north of Ketchum.

The ornamental plant continues to be a problem, despite a 2016 Blaine County ordinance that restricts the planting of noxious plants, including exotic European and Japanese yew. The ordinance was passed after 20 elk died from nibbling yew plants in the county during the winter of 2015-16.

Homeowners need to be aware of the types of vegetation they purchase and plant on their properties, said Regional Wildlife Manager Mike McDonald.

“We continue to see the end result of wildlife dying from eating ornamental yew that is planted around homes. It’s surprising how small an amount of yew it takes to kill an elk, deer or moose, which are all species that residents can see throughout many Idaho communities,” he said.

Yew plants are among the deadliest plants on the planet. They can take the shape of an evergreen tree, shrubs or plants with a thin, scaly reddish-brown bark and long, flat needles that are dark green on top and light green on the underside.

Representatives of the Blaine County Weed Department can help identify them for those who call or 208-788-5574.

Just a small handful of needles can kill moose, deer, pronghorn, cattle, horses, dogs, cats, rabbits and even children. All parts of ornamental yews, including dried branches, contain the toxic alkaloids. The exception: the arils, the material that covers the seeds. The arils are edible and sweet, but the seed is dangerously poisonous.

Fish and Game asks homeowners to completely remove yew from their yards. If that’s not possible until spring, they should securely fence the bushes or tightly wrap them with burlap so wildlife cannot nibble on them.

The Ohio Gulch Transfer Station accepts yew debris free of charge, but the yew must be separate from other yard debris.