How is velvet elk antler harvested?
Elk are not harmed when velvet elk antler is removed. The animals are subdued with a mild sedative. The region around the antler is anesthetized with Lydocane the same substance your dentist uses. The antler is cut from the animal, leaving the antler base unharmed. Animals whose antlers have been removed show no ill effects. Within a few hours, they resume normal activity with the rest of the elk herd. There are no psychological impacts after antlers are removed: elk whose antlers have been harvested interact with other elk and humans as they did prior to the removal. There are no lasting physical impacts. Antlers regrow the following year. Velvet elk antler is the only totally renewable animal source of chondroitin sulfate and glucosamine sulfate. The velvet antler is immediately frozen. It remains frozen until it is processed. The outer skin layer, or velvet, is removed and the inner tissue, consisting of the nutrient-rich cartilage is freeze dried, powdered and encapsulated.
