Elk calving season is in full swing in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and early indications show more calves could be born this year than any year before—a positive sign considering the experimental phase of the elk restoration program has ended, and the elk are now officially on their own. So far, 10 calves have been born this season (at least two female) and many more are expected to be born over the next several weeks.
The Smokies’ elk population currently sits around 100. The best place to view the elk is in the Cataloochee Valley. Some of the calves that were born early in the season are already big enough to travel with their mothers and can be seen in the valley’s expansive fields.
For more, go to GSMNP.
