250 Tule elk at the Point Reyes National Seashore have died in the past two years from thirst because the Park believes the drought is a natural process and the resulting deaths are from natural causes. The Park Service has a mission to manage wildlife habitat in its natural state and not interfere in the process while protecting the existing environment.  A number of years ago Tule elk which had occupied Point Reyes area for thousands of years and had become almost extinct were reintroduced into Point Reyes.  This herd was fenced in and constructed water impoundments were made to provide for the elk and to protect the interests of ranchers and dairy farmers who also occupy the area and are under grazing permits in the Park.  In the last two years, 250 Tule elk have died from thirst according to the Park's own admission.  The Park is in the process of revising its management plan for the elk. Meanwhile the animals are still confined to the fenced area and the water supply is drying up again.  More elk will die while the Park finishes its management plan.  The Park claims the drought is causing loss of water and thereby loss of life is natural in nature.  In fact, artificially confining these animals is not natural in nature and the Park should at a minimum restock the water impoundments and if necessary feed the elk until they finish the management plan.  Otherwise, the elk will continue to die off and this herd eliminated.  Ergo, all options for management foregone.  It is important to maintain this herd for its genetic diversity.  It is important from a humanitarian point of view that we created the artificial environment we put these animals in and it is we who must take care them.  The Park mission is faulty at best when it tries to fall back on natural cause and effect when it is entirely unnatural to confine these animals.  Part of the herd was allowed to roam freely and is thriving and increasing.  The confined herd is dying off at an alarming rate.  You can make a difference by signing this petion to the Superintendent and state that it is unacceptable to allow animals to die on your watch. This is urgent and cannot wait for the bureacratic process to takes its course.