![]() It could have been the mountain lions or it could have just passed away peacefully. ![]() The carcass may have ravaged what looked to be mountain lions. Patterson added, “‘The public should always be cautious around carcasses (elk, deer, moose, bighorn sheep) in Rocky Mountain National Park, because mountain lions could be nearby.” The reason that folks may never know what ultimately took down the elk is that when he was discovered the scene was a mess. He could have died from natural causes or been preyed on by a mountain lion.” He said, “He got hurt during the rut this past year from another bull.” Nobody knows for sure. The National Park Service’s Kyle Patterson told NBC News, “His cause of death is unknown. Kahuna had a great run, making it to 10-years-old, experts of the region estimate. Unfortunately, that bull elk, known as “Kahuna,” passed away. One of the most popular animals for folks to snap a picture of was a specific bull elk in the park. It’s a must-see destination for any folks that have not already made the trek out to the midwest to feast their eyes on the beauty that is the Rockies. Have a story idea? Contact him at or on Twitter Support his work and that of other Coloradoan journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today.Rocky Mountain National Park is home to all kinds of wonderful animals, including the bull elk. Be it news, outdoors, sports - you name it, he wants to report it. Reporter Miles Blumhardt looks for stories that impact your life. Two years after Samson's death, he was memorialized with a bronze sculpture that can still be seen at the intersection of U.S. His death spawned a national outrage against the poacher, who was sentenced to jail time, fined and placed on probation. He was illegally killed with a crossbow by a Lakewood resident on YMCA of the Rockies grounds near Estes Park in November 1995. Like Big Kahuna, Samson was a well-known and revered large bull elk that was tolerant of people. RMNP visitation: Park among most popular again Park spokesperson Kyle Patterson told CBS4 the cause of death is unknown and that the animal "could have died from natural causes or been preyed on by a mountain lion.'' Photographers noticed the elk had been injured in last fall's rut, which may have contributed to his death. Cause of death unknown for beloved bull elk at Rocky Mountain National Park The park did not post social media messages on its social platforms about the death and did not respond Wednesday morning via email to an interview request. RMNP know before you go: Timed entry reservation system back for a third year "It moved your soul to hear that intense, soulful sound breaking the quiet.'' "His bugle was just thunderous, unlike anything else you heard,'' Madrid said. He said the last time he photographed the animal was 2019. The Kahuna Memorial Project Steering Committee announced in a news release that it will work with the Art Center of Estes Park to raise 150,000 for the memorial to the well-known bull elk Kahuna. Madrid said he would usually find and photograph the elk early in the morning in Moraine Park. ![]() "It was always, 'Holy cow, look at how massive that guy is,' '' Madrid said Wednesday. The post said the elk might have been "taken down by a mountain lion with tracks surrounding the area (where) he was found.''įort Collins resident Michael Madrid, who owns Michael Madrid Photography and is a senior photo editor for USA TODAY, said he never had a name for the elk but that each time he photographed him, he had the same reaction. The post said the photographers last saw the bull weighing around 1,000 pounds on March 7 but then a storm moved in and the photographers lost track of the animal until Sunday. Being the first to place a hand on his magnificent antler (one had already been shed) was humbling and all three of us - myself, Alli and Andrew - were each blessed to be the last to see him alive and the first to see him passed on.'' Good Bull Outdoors posted on its Facebook page Sunday: "We’re sad to announce the passing of perhaps the most iconic elk in history. ![]()
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