Elk Killed by Tree?

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dmthomas49
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Elk Killed by Tree?

Post by dmthomas49 » October 15th, 2020, 7:22 pm

On the Sheep Canyon trail above the Toutle drainage there is an elk skeleton. It appears the elk was killed by a falling tree.
The tree and the elk were not here at the end of August.
IMG_0974.JPG
"The clearest way into the Universe is through a forest wilderness."
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pcg
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Re: Elk Killed by Tree?

Post by pcg » October 15th, 2020, 7:35 pm

I found a similar occurrence near Granite Peaks when I was in the area to view the total eclipse a few years ago. The one you found looks freshly scavenged. What I found was older and the bones were white and scattered but the spine was under a downed tree.

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bobcat
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Re: Elk Killed by Tree?

Post by bobcat » October 18th, 2020, 9:44 am

Unusual to stumble upon such an occurrence, but not such a remote possibility in the natural world:

http://tetzoo.com/blog/2019/5/31/death- ... -and-trees

I was drawn to the story because, when visiting the Pyrenees in Spain, I viewed Celia, the very last Pyrenean ibex (well, except for a clone they made of her that lived for 10 minutes) on taxidermic display in a national park visitor center. She was killed by a fallen tree.

Probably a way more frequent occurrence for wild creatures, which endure storms outdoors in the elements, than for humans - although a few years ago someone in my neighborhood was killed by a falling branch while they were taking a walk.

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dmthomas49
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Re: Elk Killed by Tree?

Post by dmthomas49 » October 18th, 2020, 4:07 pm

A women was headed this way on the trail with her dog. I forgot to mention the elk skeleton to her. I bet she had problems getting her dog past it. This trail has had a number of surprises. We also saw 6 goats way up on the mountain.
"The clearest way into the Universe is through a forest wilderness."
— John Muir

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dmthomas49
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Re: Elk Killed by Tree?

Post by dmthomas49 » October 18th, 2020, 4:18 pm

bobcat wrote:
October 18th, 2020, 9:44 am
Unusual to stumble upon such an occurrence, but not such a remote possibility in the natural world:

http://tetzoo.com/blog/2019/5/31/death- ... -and-trees

I was drawn to the story because, when visiting the Pyrenees in Spain, I viewed Celia, the very last Pyrenean ibex (well, except for a clone they made of her that lived for 10 minutes) on taxidermic display in a national park visitor center. She was killed by a fallen tree.

Probably a way more frequent occurrence for wild creatures, which endure storms outdoors in the elements, than for humans - although a few years ago someone in my neighborhood was killed by a falling branch while they were taking a walk.
I like your included story!
"The clearest way into the Universe is through a forest wilderness."
— John Muir

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drm
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Re: Elk Killed by Tree?

Post by drm » October 19th, 2020, 7:21 am

Or maybe the tree fell on a dead elk. not sure if we can know by looking. It doesn't look like a very large tree.

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dmthomas49
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Re: Elk Killed by Tree?

Post by dmthomas49 » October 19th, 2020, 11:40 am

Or maybe the elk slipped, fell and hit his head on a downed tree?
"The clearest way into the Universe is through a forest wilderness."
— John Muir

greenjello85
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Re: Elk Killed by Tree?

Post by greenjello85 » October 19th, 2020, 8:09 pm

Clearly a bigfoot deadfall trap. They must watch Alone.

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DannyH
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Re: Elk Killed by Tree?

Post by DannyH » October 20th, 2020, 12:33 pm

Did the elk hear the tree falling? Did it make a noise if the elk is dead?
"It isn't the mountain ahead that wears you out; it's the grain of sand in your shoe."

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