photo credit: Courtesy National Park Service
Tule Elk

For years, environmental and animal rights activists have been battling Point Reyes National Seashore over cattle ranching. 

And an eight foot tall fence built to separate cows from elk. From ten tule elk released in 1976, the population reached around 500 until recent, severe drought took a toll on the hemmed in herd.

While tearing at the heartstrings of some, the dispute also involves federal land, commercial leases and the primary mission of the national park service.

Recently, KRCB's Marc Albert spoke to Rebecca Garverman, clinical fellow at the Harvard Law School's Animal Law and Policy Clinic, which is leading a legal charge against the park service, but using an entirely different tack.

Filings in the case are due before the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit by the end of the month. Garverman said she would not guess when oral arguments in the case might proceed.