Mega-Fauna Elk are Mega Headache at Grand Canyon
By Michael Frank on January 28th, 2013
Elk, which until recently were rare at the Grand Canyon are now so plentiful they’re causing problems. Last year the National Park Service reported 115 “elk jams” over 53 days, taking anywhere from one minute to two hours to clear area roads. And the animals can be dangerous; encounters in recent years have included several charges, and since a bull elk can weigh 700 pounds, that’s something nobody wants to experience. What’s the big draw (besides elk enjoying the process of making more elk)? The Park Service planted grass along the rim, which is moisture rich and the elk need to survive the hot summer. As with bears and bison in Yellowstone, part of the problem is human, too — tourists get too close to the animals to snap photos or try to feed them. Park managers hope removing the grass will help. Via AZ Central.
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