At Grand Canyon, elk go from attraction to problem

• Story
• Comments
• Image (4)

Previous Next

Michael Quinn

Grand Canyon Elk

This photo taken Aug. 15, 2011and released by Grand Canyon National Park showing park tourists photographing a park elk as it was seen outside the Thunderbird Lodge, left, on the South Rim of the Grand Canyon in Arizona. People living at and visiting the Grand Canyon decades ago never encountered elk that now regularly create traffic jams, graze on the school’s recreational field and hotel lawns and aren’t too shy to display their power. (AP Photo/Michael Quinn, Grand Canyon National Park)

Michael Quinn

Grand Canyon Elk

This Oct. 19, 2010 photo released by Grand Canyon National Park showing park tourists photographing a park elk on the South Rim of the Grand Canyon in Arizona. People living at and visiting the Grand Canyon decades ago never encountered elk that now regularly create traffic jams, graze on the school’s recreational field and hotel lawns and aren’t too shy to display their power. (AP Photo/Michael Quinn, Grand Canyon National Park)

Mike Sakal/Tribune

Grand Canyon

Barking up a tree: A Roosevelt Elk gnaws on a tree inside Grand Canyon National Park on Monday. The elk was among a group of seven of the large animal resting inside a green and tree-filled area of the park as people strolled by. It is recommended that park visitors do not feed the animals or try to approach them. [Mike Sakal/Tribune]

Mike Sakal/Tribune

Grand Canyon

Licking their chops: Two Roosevelt Elk in Grand Canyon National Park rest on Monday evening as people stroll by. Park visitors are not encouraged to feed or try ot walk up close to the elk, which can weigh more than 1,000 pounds. [Mike Sakal/Tribune]