Bull elk poached, found headless
ROCKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK - The park is investigating the poaching of a mature bull elk whose headless carcass - containing the two arrows that felled the animal - was found Tuesday morning near U.S. 36 and Marys Lake Road, officials said.
A passing motorist spotted the carcass on land that is part of Rocky Mountain National Park on the west side of Estes Park, said Larry Frederick, park spokesman. Its head and cape, the desired parts for illegal trophy hunters, had been removed.
Investigators are seeking a man who was seen in the area on Monday night, Frederick said.
Officials think the animal killed was a six-point bull, now missing, that was often seen with a group of cow elk near the intersection leading to park headquarters, Frederick said. The bull weighed perhaps 800 pounds, he said.
"He'd been hanging around down there with his harem for a couple weeks," Frederick said, adding that the elk had caused traffic jams and had attracted many photographers.
It is illegal to kill wildlife in a national park; the maximum penalty for the laws violated likely would be 18 months in jail and a $15,000 fine, Frederick said.
Anyone with information should call 970-586-1206.
ROCKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK - The park is investigating the poaching of a mature bull elk whose headless carcass - containing the two arrows that felled the animal - was found Tuesday morning near U.S. 36 and Marys Lake Road, officials said.
A passing motorist spotted the carcass on land that is part of Rocky Mountain National Park on the west side of Estes Park, said Larry Frederick, park spokesman. Its head and cape, the desired parts for illegal trophy hunters, had been removed.
Investigators are seeking a man who was seen in the area on Monday night, Frederick said.
Officials think the animal killed was a six-point bull, now missing, that was often seen with a group of cow elk near the intersection leading to park headquarters, Frederick said. The bull weighed perhaps 800 pounds, he said.
"He'd been hanging around down there with his harem for a couple weeks," Frederick said, adding that the elk had caused traffic jams and had attracted many photographers.
It is illegal to kill wildlife in a national park; the maximum penalty for the laws violated likely would be 18 months in jail and a $15,000 fine, Frederick said.
Anyone with information should call 970-586-1206.
