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.
Elk Killed by Tree?
- dmthomas49
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- Joined: May 16th, 2013, 6:51 am
Elk Killed by Tree?
"The clearest way into the Universe is through a forest wilderness."
— John Muir
— John Muir
Re: Elk Killed by Tree?
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.
Re: Elk Killed by Tree?
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.
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.
- dmthomas49
- Posts: 267
- Joined: May 16th, 2013, 6:51 am
Re: Elk Killed by Tree?
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
— John Muir
- dmthomas49
- Posts: 267
- Joined: May 16th, 2013, 6:51 am
Re: Elk Killed by Tree?
I like your included story!bobcat wrote: ↑October 18th, 2020, 9:44 amUnusual 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.
"The clearest way into the Universe is through a forest wilderness."
— John Muir
— John Muir
Re: Elk Killed by Tree?
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.
- dmthomas49
- Posts: 267
- Joined: May 16th, 2013, 6:51 am
Re: Elk Killed by Tree?
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
— John Muir
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- Joined: July 31st, 2014, 1:31 pm
Re: Elk Killed by Tree?
Clearly a bigfoot deadfall trap. They must watch Alone.
Re: Elk Killed by Tree?
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."