Elk euthanized

A young elk was euthanized Friday after he was recorded headbutting a nature photographer on the side of a road in Asheville, N.C. road. The footage went viral last week on the Internet, which heightened concern for wildlife officials that the animal would grow increasingly aggressive towards humans.

NBC News reports Nov. 18 that the elk was euthanized after the famous incident in which he jabbed his antlers into cameraman, James York. The one-and-a-half-year-old elk was described by Great Smokey Mountains National Park spokeswoman Dana Soehn as an animal posing "an unacceptable risk." With children in the area, it was even riskier not trying to prevent a future accident.

"The decision (to euthanize) was not made lightly," Soehn said of euthanizing the elk.

The euthanized elk was had a history of bad behavior and had been "hazed" about 28 times. This meant the elk was shot at with bean bags and paint balls. Some ran after the elk or lit firecrackers to scare him off.

"Most (elks) respond to this," Soehn said.

The man who recorded the elk headbutting the cameraman -- Vince M. Camiolo -- feels responsible for the elk being put down.

"It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that it was devastating," he said. "I felt very responsible. I still do."

York, the man who was headbutted by the elk just euthanized, said he's tired of being blamed for the animal's demise.

"It was a no-win situation for the park," York said. "If they hadn't put him down the park would be liable. I think (the elk) was a problem waiting to happen."

The euthanized elk was likely fed a lot by humans and didn't fear them. When that happens their behavior can be unpredictable and highly dangerous.

source: http://www.examiner.com/article/elk-euthanized-a-decision-not-made-lightly-park-official-says