Can we bring wild elk back to Alabama?

Sponsored

Elk in Tennessee. (Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency)

Elk, one of North America’s most majestic creatures, have been gone from Alabama for two centuries, since the time we became a state in 1819. 

The largest member of the deer family, they are known for their prolific antlers and bugling calls, the eerie sound bulls make during fall mating season. 

Will they ever return to Alabama? Unlikely. But, there is hope. 

Thanks to recent efforts by conservationists in Tennessee, elk live about 180 miles from the Alabama state line in a “Tennessee Restoration Elk Zone.” 

Here, they can be seen at a viewing tower within the North Cumberland Wildlife Management Area.

In our first story about animals that no longer live in Alabama, we featured the potential comeback of the Raven. 

For our second story in this three-part series, we explore how our state tried to bring elk back a century ago, how Tennessee succeeded in doing just that, and what the chances are of Alabama bringing them back again.

Check out our second story: Can we bring wild elk back to Alabama?

Sponsored by:

Pat Byington

Longtime conservationist. Former Executive Director at the Alabama Environmental Council and Wild South. Publisher of the Bama Environmental News for more than 18 years. Career highlights include playing an active role in the creation of Alabama's Forever Wild program, Little River Canyon National Preserve, Dugger Mountain Wilderness, preservation of special places throughout the East through the Wilderness Society and the strengthening (making more stringent) the state of Alabama's cancer risk and mercury standards.