Bull Elk Charges Two in Yellowstone

Link : http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=816&ncid=816&e=4&u=/ap/20040923/ap_on_fe_st/rampaging_elk


YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK, Wyo. - A bull elk charged and injured two people, including a tourist who took a flash photograph of the animal from less than 10 feet away.



The 60-year-old Texas man was stuck by the elk's antlers Sunday at Mammoth Hot Springs, a popular area in Yellowstone National Park. He received cuts and bruises to his head, hands and chest, officials said Wednesday.


The man, whose name was not disclosed, had walked up to the elk, took his picture and then turned his back and began to walk away, officials said. The startled bull put its head down and charged the visitor, who turned around just in time to be gored.


Later in the day, a National Park Service employee leaving a building was charged by the same bull and suffered bruises and strained muscles.


The elk also damaged six cars, adding to six it had previously attacked. Damage to the vehicles was estimated at $12,000 to $15,000.


Because the elk was threatening the safety of visitors and employees, park managers tranquilized it and removed its antlers before letting it loose.


Yellowstone rules require people to stay at least 25 yards from elk, bison and other large animals, and at least 100 yards from bears.