New video. Bull elk went golfing, did ‘some thrifting’ while visiting Tri-Cities this week
By Annette Cary,
22 days ago
A bull elk visited the Tri-Cities last weekend wandering on a Pasco golf course, getting a snack near Hanford High School and even being spotted outside a Goodwill.
After a couple days, Washington state Department of Fish and Wildlife police tracked him down and found a new home for him.
Richland residents started snapping photos of the animal Sept. 18 near Hanford High.
Cheyenne LaViolette was driving down a hill toward Hanford High when she saw the elk that morning just before she reached George Washington Way.
She was shocked to see the animal in the city, she said.
“He was just staring at me,” she said, but as she scrambled to take a picture he turned away.
She called police, concerned that such a huge animal appeared to be ready to cross George Washington Way, potentially hurting himself and anyone in a car that might hit him.
It was not the only call police received that morning about the elk. One of LaViolette’s co-workers at the school told her she also called.
Then Saturday, golfers in Pasco interrupted their game to stop and watch what appeared to be the same elk trotting across the Sun Willows Golf Course , silhouetted against the skyline.
Once there, another drug was used to reverse the immobilization, and he was released.
The elk, with a new yellow tag on his ear, is shown with antlers missing and his teeth showing in what looks like a grin in a Fish and Wildlife social media post.
The tag will be used to follow the elk and see if he again visits an urban area, Elder said. Fish and Wildlife officials also wanted to track him because of the drug in his system.
At times male elk will head out on their own, Elder said.
The reserve south of Highway 24 and west of Highway 240 includes Rattlesnake Mountain. The elk also cross Highway 240 and are commonly seen roaming the former production portion of the nuclear reservation down to the Columbia River.
Fish and Wildlife says people who come upon an elk should give it space to retreat.
No wildlife should be fed, to make sure they stay wild, Elder said.
For injured or dangerous wildlife incidents, call Washington state Department of Fish and Wildlife Police at 877-933-9847.
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river pimp
21d ago
they cut its antlers off so wdfw's precious predators can kill it easier
Mark Adelmund
22d ago
I remember almost hitting one crossing A street years ago. Ended up swimming across the Columbia River
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