A wildlife park near St. Louis has closed indefinitely after a young bull elk began attacking visitors’ cars.
Lone Elk Park, a 546-acre drive-through reserve in Missouri, shut its gates Monday. Officials said the animal had become a safety concern during mating season, when bull elk can grow more territorial and aggressive.
The elk recently took over as the dominant male in the herd, replacing his father. It’s his first breeding season in charge, and he seems to be adjusting rather poorly. Eric Johnson, acting director of St. Louis County Parks and Recreation, described him as a younger, inexperienced bull who was “acting a little bit like a teenager.”
Visitor Theresa Hammer said the bull approached her Ford Fusion last week. She briefly looked away, then turned back to find him striking the front of her car with his antlers. He scratched the side and hood and left a large dent in the rear quarter panel.
Hammer said she didn’t blame the elk, noting that she was driving through his habitat. The park lets visitors observe elk, bison and other wildlife from their vehicles. Although officials had warned people to keep their distance, not everyone followed the guidance.
Elk can become especially dangerous during the annual rut, when rising testosterone levels make bulls more territorial as they compete for mates. Still, Johnson said it has been about a decade since the parks department dealt with a bull this agitated. Some bulls remain calm during the season; others, he said, behave like this one.
Officials are checking the elk’s behavior each day but have not set a reopening date. They hope the park can reopen within the next several days, once the bull settles down.
