There are usually about 30 to 35 tule elk in the conservation herd on the 960-acre (390 ha) reserve in Kern County, California, United States.

As a Modesto Bee staff writer explained in 1976, "In less populated times grizzly bears roamed the Central Valley and tule elk and pronghorn antelope grazed on the perennial bunch grasses.

"[1] Under hunting and habitat pressure, the population of indigenous tule elk (Cervus canadensis nannodes) in California collapsed to double digits by the late 1800s.

[5][4] The Tule Elk State Natural Reserve has constructed ponds, and supplemental food is provided for the animals,[6] without which the population could not survive.

[15] Nearby protected areas include Kern National Wildlife Refuge and Fort Tejon State Historic Park.