MAGGIE VALLEY, N.C. (828newsNOW) — The North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission is urging the public to avoid feeding, approaching or touching wild elk after recent reports of close and potentially dangerous encounters in the Maggie Valley area.
Elk, reintroduced to the region in the early 2000s, are primarily found in and around the Great Smoky Mountains, including Haywood, Jackson and Swain counties. Sightings are increasingly common in nearby neighborhoods and towns, which can lead to unsafe interactions.
“These are big, powerful animals, and getting too close to them jeopardizes those people approaching the animal, the elk and local residents,” said James Tomberlin, the commission’s mountain operations supervisor.
Officials are asking the public to follow “Elk Smart” guidelines when encountering elk:
Give elk space: Stay at least 100 yards away. Elk can be unpredictable and aggressive, particularly during the fall breeding season or when females are protecting calves.
Never feed elk: Feeding elk encourages them to associate people and homes with food, increasing the risk of conflict and disease spread.
Don’t name elk: Giving wild animals names can create a false impression that they are tame or safe to approach.
Do your part: Report disruptive or unsafe behavior around elk to authorities.
The Wildlife Commission is working with local officials in and around Maggie Valley to promote public awareness and safety.
To report wildlife violations, contact NCWRC Law Enforcement at 800-662-7137. For general wildlife questions, call the NCWRC Wildlife Helpline at 866-318-2401 or email HWI@ncwildlife.gov.
More information about coexisting with elk can be found here.