Nocturnal releases may prove to be a beneficial standard in reducing stress on the animals under the right conditions. Since the release into the compound the elk were monitored under strict conditions by a limited number of qualified personnel. Access to the site was controlled to avoid any undue stress to the animals. Additional food was supplied inside the compound after the initial 15 (700 lb.) round hay bales and 100 (small) rectangular hay bales were consumed. A heated watering tank supplied open drinking water that was supplemented with an electrolyte and mineral additive referred to by the LIC as 'Gatorade'. The elk took to this drink very well and regular fillups of 45 to 60 gallons was maintained. The 'Gatorade' supplemented the fresh snow naturally eaten by the elk and was beneficial to the overall fitness of the herd.

Record winter snowfall in 2001 proved difficult for the resident deer and elk population. These factors influenced the decision to hold the animals within the compound as long as they continued to be healthy and unstressed. It was agreed that the overall health and well being of the elk was paramount. The LIC maintained their enclosure until spring to ensure the survival of the elk.

Members of the LIC and other volunteers observed some of the previous years elk venturing back to the compound to take advantage of the hay supply which was stockpiled outside the enclosure. The LIC was excited to see the interaction between the elk of 2000 release and their 2001 counterparts.

The January 2001 release marked the culmination of a year's planning, which bolstered the herd and moved the number of elk in the Bancroft area to between 100 and 200 animals, a benchmark for a self sustaining re-introduced elk population. The LIC was particularly proud to confirm the addition of 20 newborn calves. The figure reflected a birth rate that exceeded the mortality rate. As the calves of 2000 matured to breeding age, and wiyh the addition of 50 animals in 2001, the future looked bright for newborns if 2001.

As was expected when the program began, a certain number of animals would not survice the difficult adaptation to their new home. A total of 16 elk died in the first year. Mortalities were caused by a variety of means including 2 from injury in processing and transport, 2 from drowning through thin ice, 5 wolf or bear predation, 2 emaciation/tick infestation, 3 vehicle collisions, and 2 accidental shootings. Most of the mortalities were recovered and sent to Guelph University for necropsy. The results from this type of analysis provides additional information that will be of tremendous help in the overall study of the project.

The success of the initial release, the ongoing scientific research, and the addition of 50 animals in 2001 are all positive factors as the Legacy Continues.

Three major scieentific studies, with respect to the Bancroft herd, are currently under the direction of local and provincial governing organizations. The studies include population dynamics (a review of dispersal and habits), elk/deer interaction (a review of habitat and effect on deer and other species of ecosystems) and Global Positioning System Monitoring (a record of elk movement). It is believed that the scientific data collected on these programs will be of great benefit to future re-introductions across North America.