Part of the elk herd in the Sugar City, Idaho, area.

The Idaho Department of Fish and Game in early December started feeding the Teton Canyon elk herd near Sugar City, an emergency action to help keep them from mingling with cattle and posing safety risks to people.

The department also partnered with private landowners to keep people out of winter elk habitat.

By feeding elk along the canyon, wildlife managers aim to safely contain a herd that has posed a public safety concern since first arriving in winter 2018-19 along highways U.S. 20 and Idaho 33, a Fish and Game release said. Human activity during winter has increased in the canyon area, raising concerns about wintering wildlife.

The department partnered with landowners to close to unauthorized uses about 17,000 privately owned acres on the north side of the canyon until May 1. Signs mark the closure.

A 75-cent surcharge on deer, elk and pronghorn hunting tags pays for feeding on winter range. Annual income to the special account is about $200,000.