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.