Return of the Elk

Elk were once native to the eastern U.S. and the Appalachian Mountains, but hunting and loss of habitat drove them from these lands by the mid 1800s. In 2001, however, a group of 25 elk was reintroduced into the park, followed by another 27 animals in 2002. All of the elk were fitted with radio collars, and park officials have been monitoring the herd and are currently developing a long-term plan for managing the elk population. Dozens of elk calves have been born in the park since the project began. Most of the elk are located in the Cataloochee area in the southeastern section of the park. Your best bet for seeing them (at a distance) is to venture out in the early morning or late evening, or on cloudy summer days before or after storms.