The Wyoming Game and Fish Department is helping partner agency Wyoming Department of Transportation track down a stolen solar-powered advisory sign warning drivers of an elk crossing. The safety device was located on  the highway between Meeteetse and Cody. This is the third time the sign was stolen. 

A resident elk herd moves back and forth across Wyoming 120 between Cody and Meeteetse, and after a handful of elk were hit by vehicles in the past five years, the Wyoming Department of Transportation responded to public comments by installing a pair of flashing elk crossing signs on each end of the 13-mile high use corridor about three years ago.

Since then, three of the signs and solar panels have been stolen, including one this spring near the Oregon Basin turnoff. Each of the signs and solar panel are each valued at $2,000.

"This is extremely frustrating," said WYDOT maintenance foreman Shawn Coggins of Meeteetse. "We responded to a highway safety issue regarding wildlife-vehicle collisions involving elk, but apparently someone has other ideas for these taxpayer-funded signs."

The latest sign disappearance occurred sometime on the night of August 29 about three miles north of Meeteetse. The incident is similar to the others, in that the post holding the sign was removed with use of a saw. Like the other incidents, tire tracks show a pickup truck backed into each sign before each sign was removed.

"We really need the public's help in identifying the person(s) responsible for this disgusting act," Coggins said. "The sad part of all this is that these signs were installed to save human lives and the elk. Law enforcement is following up on all leads and tips."

Anyone with tips regarding the stolen elk crossing signs is asked to contact the Wyoming Highway Patrol at 1-800-442-9090.

WYDOT officials haven't decided if new elk crossing signs will be re-installed between Cody and Meeteetse.