Lone Elk Park closes after young bull damages visitor vehicle
St. Louis County officials shut the park for several days to protect cars and people from an aggressive first-year bull during mating season.
By Alexei Brooks ·
Lone Elk Park in St. Louis County closed on Monday after a young male elk damaged a visitor's vehicle, prompting officials to restrict access until the mating season concludes.
Eric Johnson, the acting director of St. Louis County Parks and Recreation, explained that this year's herd leader is a younger, inexperienced bull in his first year. Johnson described the animal's behavior as similar to that of a teenager. The bull has displaced his father as the herd leader and is currently protective of the female elk in the group.
Resident Theresa Hammer experienced the bull's aggression directly while driving through the park last week. She was seated in her Ford Fusion when the animal approached. "I looked back up, and he hit the front of my car with his horns," Hammer stated. The elk scratched the side and hood of the vehicle and left a large dent in the rear quarter panel. Although she has not yet received a repair estimate, Hammer noted that visitors accept this risk when entering the animals' natural environment.
County staff had previously installed signage warning visitors to maintain a distance from the elk. However, after the incident involving Hammer's car, Johnson determined that warnings alone were insufficient to ensure safety. "We're just trying to make sure that we protect the people and the cars and the elk itself," Johnson said. The department also aims to protect the bull from potential harm during its period of heightened anxiety.
Johnson observed that while some bulls manage the mating season calmly, this individual is unusually excited. In his 32 years with the department, he estimated that only 10 or 12 other bulls have displayed this level of agitation. He emphasized that the behavior is natural and should subside once the mating season ends.
The park is scheduled to reopen in the coming weeks. Johnson noted that the duration of the bull's intense behavior was slightly unexpected, as officials are near the end of the mating season.
