MISSOULA, Mont. (AP) - The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation has laid off 15 employees and says it will not fill eight other vacant positions.

It's the third time since 2001 the conservation organization has laid off part of its Missoula work force. The first time, 33 jobs were affected; the second time, four.

The latest cutbacks were part of a realignment and will help the foundation "balance our mission with the reality of the marketplace," interim President and CEO Walker S. "Buddy" Smith Jr. told the Missoulian newspaper in a story Friday.

The foundation seeks to ensure the future of elk, other wildlife and their habitat, its Web site says.

Smith said that much of the federal funding for foundation projects has dried up in the past three to four years.

"The money just hasn't been coming in," he said. "This is an effort to get ahead of the curve, and make sure we can fulfill our mission. Our obligation to our members and volunteers is to invest every nickel we can on the ground."

Between the layoffs late last week and vacancies that weren't filled, Smith said, virtually every department at the foundation was affected. One of the 15 people laid off was rehired in a different job, in field operations, he added.

After the layoffs, Smith said, the elk foundation will have 121 full-time-equivalent positions nationwide.The bulk of them work at the $14 million international headquarters in Missoula into which the foundation moved in November 2005.

"The cuts are painful, granted," Smith said. "It hurts when it affects the lives of families. But it brings us to a point where we can live within our means, and put money on the ground for our mission."

Smith said two employees were laid off Oct.11, and the rest of the cuts were announced Oct. 12.

"As a whole, everyone took the high road," Smith said. "These are dedicated, professional people who understand we need to do the best we can with the money we have."

Those laid off were given a severance package, Smith said, the value of which was determined by their position and length of service.