Posted on 06/28/2018 9:29:28 PM PDT by MtnClimber
Colorado wildlife officials have growing concerns that a yearling female elk raised from a calf by a woman west of Boulder, seen as a cute curiosity by some, is a cautionary tale that could end badly.
In fact, Colorado Parks and Wildlife staff have raised the possibility that the animal could need to be put down, should its interactions with humans take a bad turn. Some call the elk Marie, and others know her as Maybelle. But along Cougar Drive near Walker Ranch, it seems everyone knows the animal, which they say was raised by a woman who has since moved from the area after a house fire heavily damaged her residence Jan. 15.
Several people have repeated a story that the elk was taken in by that woman after its mother was struck and killed by a car.
"That is not confirmed," Colorado Parks and Wildlife District Wildlife Manager Peter Boyatt said. "It is all speculation and rumor."
Boyatt said the elk has become so accustomed to human contact, it entered one area home the first weekend of June, where its brief visit was caught on video. It also entered another nearby homeowner's basement sometime about June 16.
There are reports of the animal being able to flip handles on doors to gain entry. And Boyatt can go one better.
"I got one report of the elk actually turning on the spiggot in someone's backyard," he said. "This elk is extremely habituated. It doesn't surprise me when an wild animal is raised (by humans) that this is the type of behavior you get. It doesn't display wild characteristics."
(Excerpt) Read more at dailycamera.com ...
A reserve in Alaska would be good.
Theres a sizeable herd located in a Forest Preserve just west of Chicago in, where else, Elk Grove Village. You can occasionally spot them from Arlington Heights Road right near Higgins Road. Its less than 2 miles from OHare Airport.
That would be a much shorter trip.
Ive seen them up close. Theyre magnificent creatures but I sure wouldnt want one wandering around my neighborhood.
L
Wildlife officials put animals down like this. Totally misguided, I have seen a number off orphaned deer aid elk. The stick around until nature takes over. In an elk’s case, it will join a herd. They typically do not stay with humans over two years.
The Mrs. and I got married in Rocky Mtn Natl Park 25 years ago this October. We were staying at the Inn at Estes Park. When we got up early in the morning to fetch some meat and cheese platters from Safeway, we had to shoo away some smaller elk and calves from our car in the parking lot so we could leave. Later on that night we were all in the hot tub out back enjoying some beers. There was a huge herd of elk milling about within 15 feet of the hot tub like they wanted to join the party. One of the big bull elk started trumpeting (?) at the top of his lungs which was very entertaining.
She is one busy cow.
Forgot to point out the bulls are bovine. Not sure why she stays there.
I cant believe no liberal Trans Elk jokes are posted. this Elk must not have a gender identity confusion issue.
“One of the big bull elk started trumpeting (?) at the top of his lungs which was very entertaining.”
Close - elk make a noise called “bugling.”
We stayed in Estes Park in an RV park a couple of years ago and had elk wandering through the area, usually early morning or dusk.
Ah, the "feel good" story of the day.
Worthy of a bump.
Thanks T-Bird. Pre-coffee brain fog there.
Do you mean that the wildlife people can’t take her to a wilderness area to be released?
If an XY can think it is an XX, the ELK can think it is a dog... Don’t be anti Transpecies. What right do you have to deny an elk if it wants to be different.
The bull elk here in Estes occasionally like to go shopping.
Giant Bull Elk Got Inside Our Store | Bull Elk Inside Water Wheel Gift Corner In Estes Park |
With the staff not giving him service the Yelp review will be brutal.
LOL
Good thing he didn’t refer to the bull as an “animal”
or the left would be throwing rocks through his windows!
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