Elk vs. Photographer | Great Smoky Mountains National Park
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 17 ต.ค. 2024
- Update: I've been in contact with the photographer in the above video and we would both like to issue a statement regarding the news of the National Park Service's decision to put the elk down.
My statement:
I am deeply saddened by the fate of the elk. It has certainly pulled a black cloud over this whirlwind "viral video" experience.
I spoke to the reporter who broke the story and she assured me the decision was based on a pattern of aggressive behavior that began prior to the incident documented in this video. The behavior was the result of visitors feeding the elk and conditioning them to seek food from humans. This video only serves as an example of the elk's dangerous behavior, not an impetus to it.
Again, it brings me great sadness to learn of this beautiful animal's demise and the unfortunate circumstances surrounding it.
I'm looking into a destination for proceeds from this video to help the NPS educate visitors on the dangers and consequences of feeding wildlife.
I also want to be clear that James, the photographer, was not complicit in a behavior that led to the elk's demise, but rather was made an example of the result of such behaviors. The elk approached him from behind, likely looking for food as he was conditioned to do.
Statement from the photographer:
I love and respect animals and that's why I photograph them and don't hunt them. I am deeply hurt by the loss of such a beautiful creature that in its own way bonded with me. I looked forward to watching him grow to a mature bull as the years passed.
I'm truly heartbroken to know he is gone.
Original video description:
While photographing elk at sunrise in the Cataloochee Valley of Great Smoky Mountains National Park I turned around to see what appeared to be just a curious young bull sniffing a photographer's camera. I snapped a few frames of the apparent harmless encounter.
But the elk became more interested in making trouble than simply the scent of a camera. He started physically harassing the photographer, escallating to full on head-butts.
I quickly switched the camera to video and let it roll (much of the time wondering when I should seriously consider intervening).
Most people who see this ask why the photographer seems to just take the abuse. I asked him in an email what was going through his head. This is his response:
"My first thoughts were "wow, he's getting pretty damn close here." But I've been up close before without incident. I hoped being still and passive would see him pass on. When he lowered his antlers to me, I wanted to keep my vitals protected and my head down. I felt that standing up would provoke him more and leave me more vulnerable to goring. I think that while protecting myself with my head down, having my head down was a signal that I was rutting with him. I was concerned at first, but when he started rearing back and lunging at me later on, I got scared and pissed off. That's when I wagged my finger at him to cut that shit out. I was relieved to see the Ranger coming.
So I guess at some point if the Ranger hadn't of pulled up, I would have had to disengage the best I could. I've joked with my friends that at least he took me for a buck and not a cow!"
Please feel free to browse my stock archive at:
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Thanks for checking out the video!
That elk played about as gentle as a wild animal could with him. Imagine if he was really in a competitive mood. It would of been all over for the photographer
It was a VERY young Elk, people taking him as dangerous need to see a full grown Elk in mating season. Two different animals.
Since elks are not domesticated it should not be "playing" at all.
M Daze,
Don't the young ones play with each other?
Also (as XWriter100 mentioned above), while "not domesticated", this elk had gotten used to being fed by humans and was probably pestering this one for food more than it was playing.
@reformed4ever0 it's based 0n the breed of horse.
Right. Hope he won’t try again. Crazy.😆
Elk saying "It's not safe for you here, You are on motorway.
Why doesn't he understand?
😅😅👍
uzura5552008 Yhh
Lol
funny guy!
lol
I like how the Elk waits for him to put on his hat every time it fall off. That's real respect folks. #RespectfulElk
HumbleDays hahahaaaa .. good one!!
It's called fair play
That's true
you realize that elk was killed in the end?
😂😂😂😂😂
He should have got back in his car when he saw the Elk coming.
That guy is lucky he didn't get his eye poked out.
It's ALL fun and games until someone loses an eye!
He lucky he didn't get killed
@cloudzinmyize neck, shoulder........anywhere. wouldnt take much for that big bastard playing or not.
a christmas story
Seriously, this whole video is dumb af. Looks like the guy stuck around to get his close up. That was a really young animal, he probably didn’t know any better not to fuck with humans. That guy easily could have gotten fucking impaled. Instead he’s tryna headbutt the fucking deer back?? Last I checked people don’t have antlers lol.
I'm sure the fact that bowing his head to protect himself is looking like a challenge to the elk.
Yes it was, not an act of submission with an elk, like with a dog or bear lol..
Kenneth Moulder 🤣
its not really only to protect his vital points but also only if u see everytime he makes eyes contact with him he gets more aggressive
Exactly. Rams have the same behavior... and that means fight
This video proves two things:
1. The photographer has nerves of steel and the patience of Job.
2. In this world, even when surrounded by people, you are still on-your-own.
They're in a national park and they respect that, if it's not absolutely necessery they do not want to harm or frighten the animals. They came into this elk's ground so at all cost they shouldn't threat him. In the end, scaring out this animal was easy and not too dangerous.
Dude hes a fucking dope, he could have easily scared that thing off. Hes a passive fat oaf.
Fucking sad.
The Teflon Don I’m sure He could have, He’d have missed out on some bitchen pix though.
💯
How could you be THAT calm?!?! And why on earth didn’t the people in the cars around you save you long before?!😳
Why would anyone risk their life to save someone so dumb? You don't get that close period! That elk was giving a warning. At any second he could have killed that man. JMO.
@dawncarson2279 I was going to say it if you hadnt...I'm supposed to risk life and limb because someone CHOSE TO DO SOMETHING STUPID!?!? MAKE IT MAKE SENSE!?!?
That's the most useful cap I have ever seen in my life.
Ha ha ha...bet he had a hell a headache, though! ha ha ha ha
Ok, that is the calmest dude I've ever seen in my life!
Raymond Paddy People who take Photography seriously like this guy and me have to be calm. Regardless of the situation We will risk our lives to get our best shot. Yes it is stupid, but to us it's an Achievement.
Eyeseeyou You will risk your lives? Yes, that is STUPID!!!
+Covert_K9 I was thinking the same thing!
+Raymond Paddy : He reacted perfectly. Kudos to this guy.
Raymond Paddy Just wow! Awesome!
I live and work around elk. I know that this looks cute and endearing to most folks with good hearts. To me it looks sad. I bet this elk was raised by humans directly or within too close of prozimity. Deer and elk who are raised by humans very frequently harrass or harm humans when they get older and enter rut (mating season). Appreciating them from a distance is always best for the wild animal.
John Griffith People are idiots. They feed wild animals all the time, thinking it's funny or cute. All it does is cause serious danger to the animal. When an animal learns that humans = food, it's their death sentence. This holds true for all wild animals from deer to wolves, from elk to alligators. Humans are destroying this world with their incredible stupidity.
+Sakari “Serenity Cat” M So you're saying because the animal's willingness to approach humans puts it in danger, the correct thing to do is to kill it so it's not in danger anymore. Excellent logic!
***** No, idiot. I'm saying for humans to stop feeding wildlife. How the fuck did you miss that.
+Sakari “Serenity Cat” M Indeed.
+Sakari M (“Serenity Cat”) it the bambi syndrom
The elks not being aggressive, he could have killed the man in seconds.
No, that is aggressive.
@@ryanfreeman5083 That's curious.
Man that Uber guy was *LATE*
Totally not an F.B.I Agent 😂😂
I read the description, I believe the car that pulled up was a ranger.... Very scary stuff.
LMAO!! One of the funniest comment ever!
You win at comments.
I used to do wedding photography and some of the brides were more aggravating than that elk.
Lmao
ikr
Count you're blessings you weren't the husband.
Too funny, thanks!
@@lawrencekedz
Indeed . . . occasionally one of my mentors got a request to buy the original negatives/files as part of the wedding photography package. His reply: "If you're still married in a year, I'll give 'em to you."
He's definitely a very young buck. He's out for an adventure. I love all the nature you see here.
You love the nature thats why says park ranger put this elk down?
I love the way he continues to photograph the elk. A man after my own heart.
😂😂😂😂
Yup... it's all fun and games until you get gored...
Those frickin horns would go straight through him and all the ass would be able to do is choke on his own blood. He'd never make it to someones back seat. They just don't care.
chivone21 Antlers dumb ass
Was looking for this comment. Agree fully. All we kept saying is he’s tempting fate. That Elk is rutting you moron, not communing with your soul!!
very, very dangerous. He could have easily lost an eye.
but that is my fetch
The elk just wants to spar. Put your tripod on your head and use some good footwork.
yes, hoof it
Nice!
lol...exactly!!
Bob and weave, weave and bob
Just punch him in the nose and make him Rudolph
That was a very dangerous situation. The drivers in those cars could have scared the elk away by driving their cars close to it - and saving the photographer by letting him into the car.
it might had frighten the elk and the guy could have been seriously hurt.
@@sjpatrik2 Maybe not if they drive real slow with an even speed.
Cameraman leaves.
Elk looks around and shouts "NEXT!"
Adolescents...no matter the species, they just can't seem to let things alone
Sven was talking about the elk.
@@xenomorph-2017 yeah, Yates was talking about the man.
@CL4PTP 1138 nice, you missed the joke
@CL4PTP 1138 aight im happy that you get the joke too. sry for wasting your time tho. also, thanks for introducing me to the phrase "pot, meet kettle". its a pretty neat little phrase.
Haha so true
We live in a world where people are willing to watch a man get stabbed by an elk than help him
@SgtVon Carstein s
Exactly that idiot put his life at risk, the elk end up loosing it’s life due to his idiocy. Can’t stand entitled people like him, than putting out a statement, you dumb ass, stay away from wild animals, that’s their space. Some idiot copy and paste his statement than harangue others for being insensitive idiots. He made this situation happen, and he did not pay with his life, if he did, he was asking for it. Lets hope he never make it in the world of photography, or an elephant came along, as mr trendy instagram photographer sits down to take some ‘pictures’.
Yeah but at least try to pull the car closer right ? How about a honk or two?
Anthony Francis
Of course
Jesus is Coming Soon, are you ready or not?
@EpiDemic117 We live in a world where we weren't designed to fight them with our bare hands, and that fact is what gives us our advantage in fights.
AKA weapons. Which he has none of.
His antlers were positioned just right so he didn't get gored. That's a once in a lifetime never again moment. 😬
You are using the same pronoun to refer to more than one individual.
Especially since the park rangers euthanized the elk after this. Read the description.
People need to learn to stay out of the way with wild animals. They call them wild for a reason. They do what they were created to do which is called nature. It's a damn shame if this animal was put down because of this. He was just doing what wild animals do and that's protect his area when he telling you that your ass is somewhere you are not supposed to be
@@ricardooringe5024 The photographer was on the the road and at a safe distance. The Elk then approached the photographer when it had no business doing so.
@@george8873 ; Wait, what, why was the elk euthanized ?! I watched the video; it was the man who left the comfort of his own home and went into the elk's abode to spy upon the elk ''and I assume the other inhabitants of the forest.'' I mean ,imagine your own reaction in the event someone enters your home uninvited and proceeds to film you while you are eating; without your clothes on still ! My bet is you would not even be as patient as this elk was, who although he could have easily curb stomped this voyeur to death in less than a minute, used his head, stayed calm, and with great care not to injure the trespasser, put his head together with that of the trespasser until said trespasser realized he was in the wrong, and departed the elk's home. For sure, if while I am at home naked, and enjoying a little grass, some pervert with a camera barges in and casually starts filming me, you can bet your last camera that I am going to be very ugly, and make the intruder regret having ever taken my picture ,as well as having entered my domain uninvited ! I fear a grave injustice has been done here, and we should demand that the authorities take another look at the events leading to the murder of this innocent elk !
The elk is just playing. Every time the guy puts his head down he is encouraging play fighting. Amazing this dude wasnt hurt.
I was in awe at how gentle the big guy was. We have mule deer near me that are a good bit smaller than elk and they are ruthless! Every year someone or their animal gets gored around here. It looks like the elk knows that hes telling something fragile to go away and not another big elk
Play fighting? That was a challenge to a rut.
Sad they killed the elk over this
@@3ormorecharacterstimes2 That's stupid.
Wow, what a beautiful creature! He's so lucky to have been able to see it up close and walk away unharmed. Thank you for sharing!
Also, to the people in the comments: You guys really need to learn to read the description.
Elk: "I'm tired of you paparazzi! I said NO PICTURES!!"
A few thoughts:
1. If the photographer was truly fearing for his life, he could have easily chased the elk off. Notice every time he stood off, it backed off. By being in a "submissive position" (sitting down) the elk was trying to intimidate him.
2. If the elk wanted to do this guy any real harm, it could have stomped him. The head butting was evidently just a dominance display. It could have easily gored him, but the most effective weapon any deer have are their hooves.
@@thudthud5423 I was worried he would get kicked not gored lol
When he stood up the Elk was like holy crap you’re bigger than I thought 😂
Yeah, that's what I was thinking too!!
That elk was just practising to jab long horns in him. The park rangers then put the elk down. For sure his clothing needed to be put in the bin afterwards, full of tears and holes.
Was it the elks fault? No. and who had a higher lQ. Photographer or elk? Elk. Probably the least clever photographer in North America, even the elk is brighter.
@@AI_Flight_Engineer ok bommer
@@AI_Flight_Engineer Links to back that bs statement up?
@JAMES DURHAM U.E.L. So, you've got nothing meaningful to add to the conversation?
The first thing people need to realize, is these are wild animals and that makes them unpredictable, this must be respected. The damage that they can do in a remarkably short time is amazing. Show them that respect.
People seem to think animals in the National Parks must be tame, so why not feed them. There have been multiple deaths in the National Parks because of human interaction with them. I live in a a small town where the elk herd wanders though at will. Never ceases to amaze those who think they must be tame and walk up to them as though they are. This guy was lucky to say the least. Most aren't.
Timothy G. Guth that's what I call a lot of these people bear food.
Elk was like "Man, y u no have antlers?!"
TheWildScarletRose There was a tripod.
Michael T i know
TheWildScarletRose
yeah, young buck was curious bout the mans behaviour . The photographer intimadte it a bit without scaring him into a defence attack, guess he is used to having this type of encounters
Agusti Guerola Garcia Not a buck, a bull.
+TheWildScarletRose it thinks the camera is a horn or something
The guy came close to being skewered there.
Trampled rather. Elks attack with their hooves.
D.Edward Rice
I think it was playful. Didn't you see?, just raise the hand and the elk would run 5 meters away.
No. It was trying to be gentle.
It's not being gentle, it's saying "Give me your fucking backpack before I headbutt you fam."
The Elk “ok, let’s fight, I be gentle” second round he gets aggressive
later in the week, his son lost 3 fingers playing with a fan, but his dad got some great shots of it.
hell yea
once in a lifetime experience. The elk was being extremely gentle. and that guy has some big balls to sit there as long as he did.
Young elk & he was actually playing with the photographer. The elk could have easily harmed the man but it didn’t. I have a suspicion that elk has had alot of human interaction when he was much younger.
The elk was euthanized because of this.
That wasn't balls, it was plain stupidity.
Vince, although there’s always some risk when we choose to interact with wild animals, your patience with this youngster is commendable. I didn’t see any point that his posture was truly aggressive, more that he was highly curious and playful. I see a lot of comments about putting your head down, and while true at the very base, you did the right thing to protect your eyes and face. Your calm did a lot in not getting that guy excited. Thanks for this awesome video, you show that nature is not to be feared but to be appreciated and encouraged. Click on.
The elk was helping him by trying to get him off the road
Typical bystanders not getting involved but getting their camera's. One day they will be the one needing assistance and I hope they get that helpless feeling.
yea i feel the same. It was stupid of them to just stand around. I get they are photographers but that is just rude. And I love how everyone else was in their cars taking pictures instead of getting out of their safety vehicle and help the man.
Gidget156 - use your vehicle don’t get out of it!
Dealing with animals is very unpredictable, if they spooked the elk it could have easily stabbed right into the photographer, or the elk could turn onto the bystander, the photographer should however not of put his head down because that indicates that he wants to rut (heat but) but otherwise it’s good that everybody’s safe
The guy had every chance to signal to a car and he didn't
wcresponder my thoughts exactly! Everyone in this video are complete idiots! The so called photographer had ample time to move as well but he continued to shoot pictures! I’m a retired deputy and also shoot wildlife photography. I would have gave him an earful
I love how the car comes in at the end like the real alpha predator
xierus listen to that ferocious meep.
xierus That's 👉👍right!
The elk was playing with the guy like a kid.
Had he meant harm he would be poking holes in him with his rack.
He wanted head scratches
Elk do not play. This was a young Elk trying to make a challenge.
It started nice and cute. But as the elk got more comfy and bold. He started to get pretty aggressive at the end
That's what I thought just messing around with the strange thing in the road lol
Joel Rudzinski ..::.:.what would of happened if he had tried to run? Or if one of of those cars laid on the horn? Then the man could of jumped into the car. And how did this guy know when to get up ?
i feel like the elk is trying to tell him, "get out the road you dummy!"
And “my hat now, ha ha!”
I'm sickened and saddened that the park chose to kill an animal rather than relocate it. It's another unfortunate example of taking the cheap and easy way out. Let's be clear, WE are infringing on HIS territory. Not the other way around. If somoene came into your house and you chose to feel him out or defend yourself, should you be the one who's persecuted? Disgusting.
Read the USA Today article. They had tried many many times to relocate this animal and to "haze" it so that it avoid humans. This is a park for humans, and this animal has become dangerous. If you want to bitch at someone, do it at that Melissa Bachman who murdered a lion in South Africa. I have no problem with hunting game like squirrel and deer, which are in abundance, but I don't get these hunters who say "what a lovely animal, I think I'll kill it." Kinda psycho if you ask me
daveknow You're clueless. This animal had not harmed anyone.
rwablazer The animal could of easily harmed that man if the man had attempted to stop the elk. You're the clueless one.
pancop1980 You're right. We should ban all humans from setting foot anywhere other than pavement. A man taking a picture in a park is absolutely the reason that elk will never be able to naturally inhabit the Smoky Mountains. Since animals were here first, all humans should never be allowed to enjoy themselves in the outdoors because the risk of disturbing an animal is just too great. And to think that humans had the audacity to create a national park in order to protect and preserve nature for the enjoyment of humans and animals is truly selfish and unbelievable.
Get back in your prius and enjoy your gluten free life. The rest of us will do our best not to swat any mosquitos since they were here first.
daveknow The world did exist before humans did develop to be a part of it.
i was afraid his eyes were in danger more than anything every time he looked up.
@Anthony Lopez How do you know?
@Anthony Lopez "There are plenty of humans" are you stupid ?
Caret Was just about to post this exact same reply lmao. "There are plenty of humans"....what? 😂
Anthony Lopez Anthony Lopez The humans were there simply to snap photos, the elk on the other hand was displaying very aggressive behavior that could have resulted in the guy getting seriously injured or even death. Why is it ok for the elk to harm someone who's just taking photos but not for a human to prevent disaster by putting down an elk that might kill a guy one day? Guess human lives mean nothing to you since "there are plenty of humans" lol
@Anthony Lopez true
Me: needs sleep
My recomendations: nope, here elk vs. photographer
Same here
And if you still wake up: elk vs. photographer- sunrise edition
Any animal will instinctively recognize you when you stand up
That was crazy..Putting his head down in that position was telling the elk he was ready to fight him. That’s what you don’t do! Incredibly dangerous. In a situation like that it’s best to stand up and put as much distance from the elk even put the camera and tripod in front of his body as a makeshift shield.
Maybe he was putting his head down to protect his face?
Kaff231 je literally would’ve gotten stabbed in the face
people in the car should of drove forward to scare the animal away
I agree. If they had deesclated the situation by scaring the buck off then the buck would now probably still be alive.
People didn't want to risk scratching their car with the buck's antlers... My first reaction was "why doesn't anyone beep their horn to scare the animal?"
@@chrisstad Modern horns sound like Roadrunner. "Beepbeep!"
A lot of good that would do.
hey, theres a thing with two spears on his head millimeters away from a person sitting on the ground, let agitate the thing so it panics and gets mad, sounds like a brilliant idea, dont u think?
@monokhem He's sitting on the road.
I think this Elk, took the guy's lowering of his head for defense, as a challenge.
he did not. he took the moron being there..... as a challenge.
100% correct, young elk looking for a fight sees him lower his head and keep his body low means its a fight. What would have been a better ideas would be to stand up with head up high and scream while chasing it.
they want to fuck or fight haha
FinestInstinct exactly what i was thinking. He waited for the guy’s head to drop every time.
I@@exnihilo3090 your barber takes that fucked up hair line as a challenge
"see that human?" .. yeah... "bet ya cant grab that guys gear" "hold my beer"
Don't bring a camera to an antler fight. 😉
That elk was trying to save his life by getting him out of the road.
Me too. What if the elk though he was hurt . Trying to help him up. Lol .
lol
Photographer: I need some good pics.
Elk: I’ll give you something to put in your album.
Even as gentle as the elk was, his antlers could have easily poked that fella in the eye thru to his brain.
Guy is lucky he never got gored
Or stomped into the ground.
Vance Humphrey Thnx...I looked 2 c if it was spelled right...it was, stupid thing is always changing my spelling on me. Even when it’s right. Then again I do use a lot of abbreviations.so it’s interesting 2 c what comes up at times...
Happy new yr 2 u and yours
Paul Brown Got that right. I don’t understand people sometimes. At the best of times actually. Lol
Hope u all have a great 2020.
The wilder areas I've seen elk or moose at you couldn't get that close without the possibility of scaring them off or getting gored. Elk and deer seem tame in National Parks but still be careful. I saw this in Yellowstone National Park. Most of the elk I've seen were in National Forest wilderness areas, not as seemingly tame.
Or worse, he could have been georged.
Lucky the elk was just playing around
Not lucky for the elk. Playing around ended up costing him his life.
And so was the man. He could've got up right away and screamed at it and it would've run off. Just a bit of fun.
@@simonjrgensen6761 lol its a super young elk with tiny antlers and not that much body weight. with his head that low, all you'd have to do is grab his antlers and put all your weight on his head, their entire balance is on their head, if their head is on the ground they wont be able to go anywhere.
The elk was lucky no one around had a gun to blow it's brains out.
@@CircmcisionIsChi1dAbus3 "lol it's a super young elk with tiny antlers" my dude, that's still a 300-400 pound animal.. Don't act like your average Joe could just push its head down and it will immediately be under your control. (unless youre Joe Rogan)
That's pretty dangerous. The person in the car should have rolled up toward them. That would have scared off the elk
Anton Nym really the one who is dead now is the elk!!!!
Liliana....the respectful preservation of wildlife and their (and our own environment) is a priority....the photographer was at a location deemed "a safe distance" by the Park.....who's life should we value more in this situation?......if you value the animal's life...then petition the National Parks Service to essentially transform into a Preserve......
There is a STAY 50 yards away rule. Man broke the law and now elk is dead!
@@kristinegunter7030
How do we know that this particular elk is dead? There are HUNDREDS of them. Like why would it be dead and how does anyone even know?! Gimme a break.
I'm wondering if he had a bottle of "Doe in Heat" scent in his backpack?
very good...
Rather than watch, why didn't that lady just drive her car up close to rescue him first?
CaptainHappen because she wouldn't have the film to show all her Twitter friends.
Valiant Val She was waiting for hi to be gorged so she could sell it to the media. Sigh
@@OhRassMan No, she was standing on the left side.
Se es eskerd !!! 😂😂😂😂
@J G that's kinda sexist
The front side of that sign reads, "Stay in Vehicle, Dangerous Wild Animals."
I was in the nearly deserted parking lot at the Royal Gorge in Colorado years ago getting stuff out of my car trunk when I began to get 'goosed'... WTF!!! Whipped around and it was a buck deer wanting some food (I hope).
One of the first videos I ever saw on TH-cam, many, many years ago on a computer far, far way by now was one that had a title I thought was hyperbole. It was of a nitwit who decided to get out of his car to photograph wildlife in a drive though "Safari Park" somewhere here in the US. He didn't last 15 seconds into it. The wildlife he wanted to photograph was a pride of lions. He never saw the one behind him.
The title was "Lion kills man". Not hyperbole...
pretty sure it says "If in a situation, use vehicle as a weapon to protect your fellow human" Shame the other vehicle was too far to read it before the white one showed up hahaha
I`m guessing this was recommended to everybody else.
😄yep
Lol. Yes and I wasted time I can't get back. I was glad for it to end. Thought something would really be entertaining. I give this a 2 out of 10. Only because I think the Elk didn't know any better than to waste his time seeking food then not being fed. He was upset.
Nahhh... We just searched "idiot trying to commit suicide by elk!!!"🤣
I am an African American in the valley...I have no idea why I was recommended this. I thought it was a large dog at first...
TH-cam..you weird
Joseph Patterson yes
The sign in the background said “don’t head-butt the Elk.” What would it have done to a Dodge Ram?
When the photographer continually put his head down, the elk saw it as accepting the head butting challenge. When the photographer put his leg forward, the elk saw an escalation and responded in kind. When the photographer moved
out of the acceptance position, the elk backed off.
it could have been a happy end story...but then the elk was shot by a ranger later on....-that is sad. beautiful creature- R.I.P.
@@cell28 should have been shot by the photographer he was messing with.
Aww
@@cell28 wait how do you know?
@@cell28 wait nevermind
This bull actually doesn't seem aggressive at all in this video. In fact, he seems just as anxious as the photographer. It looks more like a nervous teenager trying to boost his own confidence, and is lightly tapping the man throughout the video, only getting rough when the man seems to push back. Every movement the photographer makes causes the bull to leap away .
I see no reason why the animal should have been put down.
Looking for the trail mix in the bag😁
When it got larger it would have killed someone... even just looking for food it would be dangerous... I don't know what people are thinking when they feed wild animals ☹️
Since he wasn't afraid of humans he could have been a threat
@Castlegrad yea, xute and fluffy with the possibility to grow a rack large enough to impale a human in one blow
www.nps.gov/grsm/learn/news/elk-response.htm Details
I like how the people in the GMC could have pushed the elk away with their car but did nothing.
@TurtleO’Confusion Still a little preemptive action wouldn't have hurt. That Elk coulda skewered the dude if it got over rambunctious easy.
was thinking this exact same thing...
I'm sure they had a very good excuse not to endanger the paint on their car. lul
I'm pretty sure those two people in the GMC would have been perfectly content with watching him die from that distance.
Exactly
I just posted the same thing. It was a woman behind the wheel. This is another example of why women on average shouldn't be given suffrage or other important decision or action based rights. And people wonder why the West is all fucked up now. "We's all equal n sheeeit"
@TurtleO’Confusion Bullshit. Those horns could have terminated that man. Let's see, some damage to a metal automobile that can be fixed or a pierced eye socket.. Are you female btw? Can't believe the fucking stupidity of your comment.
I'm not sure anybody's reading the description and then the comments from the photographer. Sad.
So sad😞 if stupid people would just follow the rules and used their common senses,they wouldn't put their own lives or the lives of the animals at risk! Rules are rules for a reason...DON'T FEED THE WILDLIFE!!
Of course they aren't. That would require a little thought and effort, which is more than most can muster.
The photographer had plenty of chances to get up and get away. Not once did he ask for help! His own fault. Poor elk died because of him invading his world.
@@kristinegunter7030 he wasnt invading it at all, if you actually watched the video and read the text in it, he was at a safe distance. if he were to get up and back off, he would get chased and most likely gorged. he had no other choice but the protect himself til the bull lost interest.
You people trying to defend this douchebag are idiots.
oh deer...
PhoenixKev lol
Elk
Of course your the top comment😂
:D that elk is a serial killer look how he's taunting the guy.
It's An elk!
Of course the lady in the car does nothing.
JB Weld Right,but if the roles were reversed and it was a woman than there would be an uproar about the man not helping the woman
TX1997 bingo
She has pussy pass.
How about the guy filming ? Plus he wasn't alone because he talked with someone else. There were a least 3 persons watching the scene.
JB Weld Ladies are emotional beings. They act best when they need to save they own 👨👨👧👧children or other family members.
Not strangers. Most man would try to save anybody. That's a big difference.
Elk: "I take your gear. Sell it on eBay."
elk bay..........................................ta da.
Human: *leaves equipment on the ground*
Elk: Welp, why don’t you look at this! *FREE FOOD!!!*
hahahahahaha the elk is playing with him. The photographer knows exactly what he is doing.
If you notice, the elk doesn't do full force at all and backs off as soon as the photographer stands up. I am actually impressed how careful the elk is and how good the photographer communicates with it.
That guy was VERY lucky the elk only had 2 antlers. If it had been more mature, older, the guy wouldn't have done so well.
You’ve missed the reality in this.
there were multiple people surrounding and watching this happen. if they all approached the bull he would have given up and ran off.
Too concerned with making sure they get a good video to sell to the media, probably.
@@cl-kb7xy Oh Ya
Yeah but he was a white guy. I think it's illegal to help whites now.
@@mrfingers4737 What lol you lost me
If they all approached the *bull*?? lol
Pissed off because he was taking his picture without his permission
Darn Papparatzi.
And he got pics from a lower angle, so his face won't look slim smh
Man gets away. Elk looks directly at camera, "You want a piece?"
@michael valentin omg that is truly heartbreaking. Hope they're happy they got their viral footage 😠
@michael valentin Wow. Thanks for sharing that background. If that is all true & they were just out to capture film @ the expense of that creature's life, that's unconscionable & I hope enough people know & can @ least shun their material. ✌
@michael valentin daaang. It's disgusting that someone would flout those warnings just to take a good video. Wish I could say that's shocking, but... Nope 💔
@michael valentin Ugh. Disgusting 😡
A lot of commentors are upset that no one helped, by blowing the horn or driving up to chase the elk away. But does anyone wonder how the ranger (the white vehicle) happened to show up? Is it possible the woman in the stopped car called and reported the incident? Which is exactly the right thing to do.
Geez- that man was in a very dangerous situation and people were just sitting around filming it- wtf
@b1untrama Is this really to explain? Use your brain, ha.
I assume he specifically motioned or told that motorist not to pull closer. Doing so might've saved the elk's life until the next incident.
someone could have pulled up and honked to scare that animal away, normally I'm all for animals rights but a good swift kick in its thick ass was needed. psycho buck
@@DOR8421 sadly the elk was shot by a ranger soon after this incident. please read the whole description beneath the video.
@@cell28 I mean if they walked away or scared it off it might not have culminated in it's death. They didn't scare it away because the dude was cool with it. It's his job to get close and he wasn't feeding it. Feeding is real problem, but sometimes you should scare away fearless wildlife that forgot their boundaries.
5:37
Man: Okay easy there buddy I'mma walk away now
Elk: Nooo human come back.. Head butting is the only way I know how to play.
Elk: Hand over the bag man, the bag. I need to search your bag. I have authority in this neck of the woods. This is your last chance. Move and let me have that bag (looking to see whose watching again )
Photographer ain't no good with his eyes poked out.
toben42 Ain’t?
@@sandracaster308 ain't
/ānt/
INFORMAL
contraction
am not; are not; is not.
"if it ain't broke, don't fix it"
has not; have not.
"they ain't got nothing to say"
@@jimdavis1566 ok boomer
@@jimdavis1566 Hell yeah!
@@emmirr04 people who say ok boomer are almost guaranteed to be fucking losers/
The photographer looked like he new what he was doing. Not making eye contact, bowing his head and keeping calm so not to piss him off.
Been around Elk my entire life. This is a pre-teen elk looking more for playing , than anything else. I've never been that close and in that type of situation , but most young bulls like that , are more curious and playful than anything else. Guy could of gotten hurt for sure , but I don't think that's what the elk was trying to do. If he would have been about 2 - 3 years older??..........that's when you get the hell out of there! Also......don't let the rack fool you , some of the most aggressive animals in a heard , are the lead cow. They can can become extremely dangerous and I myself have been chased by them. All in all , the elk is a very big wild animal , which deserves respect!
Totally agree so sad the outcome
jeffro503,
"... some of the most aggressive animals in a heard ..."
Watch out for them mama grizzlies. By the way, I heard that a bunch of elk is a herd. ;-)
This is terrifying. Those horns came within an inch of impaling that man's skull more than just a few times. Dumb luck has never been so true.
Dangerous for sure, but that elk was being very gentle and clearly wasn't trying to hurt him. If he wanted to he could have charged and impaled the guy in a split second. He was just trying to make him move.
@Victoria Davis source on all what you said?
For all the people wondering why he didn’t stand up and run off.
His balls were too heavy
Joey Loey
🤣 isn’t that the truth
Stephen Thomas,
Balls, or possibly poop in his pants.
Man: "Say cheese!!"
Elk: "Cheese!"
Man: "Nice..."
Elk: "Let me see the picture!"
Man: "No!"
Elk: "C'mon dude..."
Man: "I said NO!"
Elk: "OK, then i will poke you!"
That expression on the face at the end of the video just meant "Watch out camera guy, you're next, my town, my hood biatch!" :D
Nice to see everyone stood around and filmed. Making no attempt to help out and get that man to safety. That encounter could have went very badly.
What if the elk just wanted to be a photographer when he grew up? He was just looking for a friend.
He's damn lucky he didn't get Steve Irwined.
Damn Lucky!!
Lol!
LOL
Crichey!
I hate you.
I guess youtube recommendations have brought us all back together again
"Hey! Have a good day in the Forest? "Yeah, except where I was nearly mugged by an Elk!"
He may be harmless but he may become eyeless....horns are not a joke
*antlers
more like daggers
Head Swords
Sticks
Toothbrushes....don't ask
It's a good thing he was able to keep his protective floppy hat in place to keep his noggin safe.
James Dennis: I hope next time the photographer goes looking for nature pictures he wears a full face motorcycle helmet, a Kevlar vest and brings some food to throw in the opposite direction so he can get away 👍🏃♂️
Some people see a man getting pushed around by a testy elk.
I see an elk worried for the safety of a human who shouldn't be sitting in the road.
"Hey man, you gotta move. Seriously. I'm not going anywhere until you get off the road. It's dangerous, I would know. Hey man, come on. I'll keep pushing you."
I saw a young elk that smelled male pheromones and was like "hey man lets play, lets impress the hot elk chicks", "C'mon dude they are totally watching and your just sitting there wtf?"
AlohaMilton
That's what I thought too. He was being playful and clearly wasn't trying to hurt the guy.
akburke So when did you graduate from Killjoke University?
Thanks for today's belly laugh.
The definition of stand-your-ground!
They put this elk down for elk behavior. If the elk were aggressive, then people should stay away from it. Typical wildlife management....
At the end of the day elk are supposed to be killed by people. It just happened in this weird post modern way.
"If the elk were aggressive, then people should stay away from it"
Who approached who in this video? The photographer did stay away from the Elk, the Elk didn't stay away from the photographer. Approaching people is NOT Elk behavior.
The observation skills of some people XD
Bradley Smith I smell venison from a distance it was foolhardy for that man to be playing with a bull elk obe false move and he coukd have been gored to a bloody mess
Instead of capable experienced Outdoorsmen Cunt Democrats who have NEVER been HUNTING or FISHING now run all NPS, BLM, State Parks..etc etc and Wildlife areas in the US thanks to Obama and his Socialist Multicultural Agenda...the Rangers in this Park could well be Handicapped Lesbians in Wheel Chairs....or totally Blind.
Elk: "Hey, you wanna pic o' dis? Huh? Punk? You wanna shoot me? Huh? Take a looooong pic, hoomon. Yeah .... "
The below quote from the news story about the elk being put down is odd. I've never seen elk do anything but graze and eat leaves and tender tree branches. What kind of food would it be searching for near humans unless someone fed it - there is natural food everywhere - it just sounds odd. If in fact it was fed that is indeed a death sentence to large wild animals. It is a shame the elk was destroyed. The fact that the elk was killed casts an unfortunate pall on this video.
"Park officials said the elk could not be re-trained to be fearful of humans. They said the elk had been coming back to that area in search of food, and had begun associating humans with food.
That behavior began before the elk's now-famous encounter with the photographer.
Spokesperson Molly Schroer said placing the animal elsewhere would be passing along a potentially dangerous problem.
Officials said it was the first time an elk has ever been put down by the park."
Apparently Doritos and potato chips, according to a quote from a ranger.
Thanks - great video btw. That clears up a lot of questions as that's really the root cause of this event - and of the elks death sentence. I have never seen an elk act that way - and being fed junk food probably when it was a calf is what did it in. It's too bad they don't catch the people. Cataloochie gets too crowded and things happen.
MyBackyardBirding Yeah its quite unfortunate. The biggest danger to both humans and animals are the humans that just dont follow the rules.
+MyBackyardBirding It's a liability problem, that's why they put those animals down. It kills some dumb box and/or her kids for feeding it and we're supposed to feel sorry for the stupid human and the park gets sued. How about we fix the law and if you get killed by some animal it's your own damn fault?
+MyBackyardBirding It is rutting season never approach elk form october till the end of december .
Elk: "Take your hat off in my presence!"
The Elk apparently disagrees that the photographer was at a respectful distance.
The park service KILLED THE ANIMAL for its "aggressive" behavior.
It has nothing to do with that. It didn't approach because it was threatened. It approached because it has learned that people have food. Then got aggressive when it got none. Which is the reason why there are signs telling you not to feed the wildlife. But people don't listen so this happens.
Tim A Thank you Elk Whisperer! Without somebody who can read Elk minds around, I just had to guess.
diana brown RIP Righteous Elk. Highly unjustified based on what is depicted here.
Guy was lucky he was dealing with an adolescent. Could have gotten gnarly real fast otherwise.
@KINGWOLF Don't know how I missed that.
@@SavageRush012 @kingwolf theyre both proper.
i don't know... if it wasn't an adolescent it might not have been so rowdy in the first place. i was still worried for his head and his eyes. yikes.
@@deanr7938 No, I mean I had used the voice to text feature on my phone, and it typed "could of" when I said "could have."
@Keen R haha I can imagine
Nothing like a couple 20" swords waving in front of your delicate face and soft skin protecting your organs and life.
One poke through the eye socket would have ruined his day.
this is the one and only shot like this with an Elk ever.