Idaho's Most Famous Elk is Moving to Texas

Idaho’s most famous elk is leaving home. Elliot the Elk was a star attraction in Sweet, where he became acclimated to living with people. Out of fear for his safety as hunting season approached, Idaho Fish and Game attempted to relocate him with a distant herd.

Elliot found life with his own 4-legged kind apparently boring. He resumed his attempts to cozy up to people. Captured a second time by Fish and Game a humane solution was needed. Elliot is going to a resort to live out his days. In Texas.

While an elk can be friendly, a large bull, when startled, is hundreds of pounds of unpredictability.

Specifically at Texas A&M, known mostly for a football program and also a well-known animal research facility. Doubtful Elliot would be needed on the football field (spearing is unsportsmanlike) he’ll spend his time in the research preserve.

You can read more about his future by clicking this link.

On a more serious note, the elk odyssey points out a long standing warning from Fish and Game. Leave the wildlife alone. It harms the animal’s potential for survival. Elk can get along mostly fine without being fed crackers and cookies. They’ve been able to manage for thousands of years.

While an elk can be friendly, a large bull, when startled, is hundreds of pounds of unpredictability. An elk living in your backyard may also attract predators, and not just the human kind. This can be dangerous for other family animals and your kids.

A Fish and Game spokesman once told me the staff agonizes when it’s forced to put down an animal. It’s not something anyone finds enjoyable.