The Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa is working with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources to return elk to northeastern Minnesota. The majestic animals once ranged the forests and prairies of the state.

The current plan is to capture 100-150 animals from the remnant herds in northwestern Minnesota over five to ten years and move them to the Fond du Lac Reservation in Carlton and southern St. Louis counties. The tribe and the state want to restore a climate-hardy, native species on or near their historical range.