75,000 cattle die in the West each year from high altitude
Cattle are similar to people. Many don’t thrive at high altitude. A large number even die from high altitude pulmonary edema-
The article below is about attempts to breed altitude resistant cattle. I’d rather see “slow elk” off the mountain meadows at 8500 feet or higher.
Cattle focus of high-altitude research in NM. By Melanie Dabovich. Associated Press Writer
Tagged with: H.A.P.E.

Ralph Maughan
Dr. Ralph Maughan is professor emeritus of political science at Idaho State University with specialties in natural resource politics, public opinion, interest groups, political parties, voting and elections. Aside from academic publications, he is author or co-author of three hiking/backpacking guides, and he is past President of the Western Watersheds Project.
4 Responses to 75,000 cattle die in the West each year from high altitude
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“We should immediately compensate the ranchers for their losses ! It’s outrageous that nature should be allowed to take this kind of toll on the Cowboy Way of Life, jeopardizing the custom and culture of five generations!”
That is all we need, a genetic line of altitude-resistant cattle so they destroy the high altitude pristine places.
Do all predators combined kill 75,000 cattle?
You can bet the wolves get credit for every one that dies in Idaho, Montana, Wyoming and New Mexico – on paper at least.