Bull elk throws man into the air at Smokies visitor centre
A video from Great Smoky Mountains National Park shows a bull elk charging a man who was standing near a tree, then headbutting him and throwing him into the air. Witnesses honked their car horns to distract the animal while the man lay in the grass; his injuries have not been reported. The incident has renewed warnings to keep away from elk during their mating season.
The encounter took place on Saturday at the Oconaluftee Visitor Center, according to the person who shared the video. Park superintendent Charles Sellars advised visitors to stay at least 25 yards from elk and said the park has no plans to euthanise the bull, despite rumours that prompted a petition with nearly 5,000 signatures. The rut runs from early September to late October, when bulls can be especially territorial.
- A bull elk threw a man into the air at a national park visitor centre.
- The man’s injuries have not been disclosed.
- Park officials say the elk will not be euthanised.
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Bull elk are large wild mammals found in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, one of America's most visited national parks. The park is home to a thriving elk population, which attracts many visitors eager to see and photograph the animals up close.
Each autumn, bull elk enter a period called the rut, or mating season, which runs from early September to late October. During this time, bulls become more aggressive and territorial as they compete for females, making them unpredictable and potentially dangerous to humans.
Visitors sometimes approach elk to take photographs or get closer views, not realising how quickly the animals can turn aggressive. Park officials have long warned visitors to maintain a safe distance from wildlife, particularly during the rut, to protect both people and the animals themselves.
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Originally published by Daily Mail as “Oh deer! Shocking moment huge bull elk aggressively headbutts man with his antlers sending him flying in the air”.