Visitors Cautioned to Keep at Least 100 Feet Away From Hoh Rain Forest Elk and Other Park Wildlife

Date: July 22, 2010
Contact: Barb Maynes, 360-565-3005
Contact: Dave Reynolds, 360-565-2985

Visitors to Olympic National Park's Hoh Rain Forest are warned to keep their distance from all park wildlife, including the area's wild and majestic Roosevelt elk.

"The Roosevelt elk is one of Olympic's most beautiful and iconic animals," said Olympic National Park Superintendent Karen Gustin. "At the same time, elk pose a very real hazard to people who approach too closely – to avoid injury and to protect the animals, visitors should remain at least 100 feet from elk and other park wildlife."

Several Roosevelt elk in the Hoh Rain Forest are showing signs of becoming "habituated," or abnormally comfortable with, the presence of humans. This creates a dangerous situation for both visitors and elk. People who approach elk place themselves at risk of harm, as elk can aggressively charge people and cause injury with hooves or antlers. In turn, the elks' safety is jeopardized, as biologists must consider serious action in the event of human injury.

In addition to heightened warnings to Hoh area visitors, rangers will begin a concentrated program to discourage interactions between elk and humans. The Hoh Rain Forest nature trails may close temporarily when elk are using these areas. Rangers will employ a variety of techniques to drive elk from the heavily used visitor areas.

Visitors should always maintain a safe distance when viewing park wildlife – a minimum of 100 feet is recommended.