Rocky mountain elk are the only type of elk in Utah, designated Utah’s state mammal in 1971. Bull elk shed and regrow their antlers every year, living in bachelor groups throughout most months outside of the rut, or mating period, in the fall.
Elk tend to live between 6,000 and 10,000 feet during the hotter summer, but will move into areas with less snowfall during the fall. They congregate in valley bottoms throughout the winter, foraging where the snow melts the quickest.
Pushing into lower altitudes and valleys can mean more interactions with humans and their structures, as this bull elk experienced in the Park City area of Utah. Fortunately there willing to help, though it seemed to have broken its antler in the process.
Though these people certainly seemed to have helped the animal, it’s always best to leave it to professionals to rescue an animal when possible. The Wildlife Rehabilitation Center of Northern Utah recommends calling your local licensed wildlife rehabilitator whenever you find an animal in distress. Elk can be quite dangerous, and getting close to one in any situation is exposing yourself to the risk of an attack. Read more on elk safety below.
Grand Canyon National Park’s Safe Elk Viewing Tips:
- An elk may try to kick you or chase you off if they feel threatened.
- Grand Canyon National Park asks that people stay at least 100 feet or about two bus lengths (30 meters) from all elk.
- Elk can show anxiety through grinding their teeth or sending their ears back. If you come into an area with an aggressive elk that is following you or approaching you back away slowly.
- If you see an elk calf, leave it alone. The mother is nearby; female elk rarely abandon their calf.
- It’s illegal to apporach or feed wildlife in Grand Canyon National Park. Approaching wildlife may cause stress to them and interfere with their ability to survive in the wild.
- Watching wildlife from a distance not only protects them—it also protects you and helps “keep wildlife wild”.
- Learn more: Grand Canyon Elk (Only found on the South Rim)
- Learn more: Wildlife Viewing and Safety at Grand Canyon.
- Learn more: How to View and Photograph Wildlife