A female elk calf found dead in Cataloochee Valley last week was probably the victim of predators.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park spokesman Bob Miller said a necropsy by the University of Tennessee failed to provide conclusive evidence, but predation was believed to be the cause.

The calf was found in Mulls Meadow. Bite marks were found on the calf’s neck and there was bear scat at the site. Dr. Joe Clark of the University of Tennessee and the U.S. Geological Survey, project leader for the five-year experimental elk release in the GSMNP, said the kill showed all the characteristics of coyote predation.

“The bite marks on the neck, and the way the body cavity was eviscerated is typical of coyote,” he said.

Miller said bears and/or other predators could have scavenged the body after the calf was killed.
Eight of the 25 elk released in Cataloochee in February as part of the reintroduction program were pregnant. The calf found last week was one of four documented births in the valley this summer. Other calves have lost their tracking collars making it difficult for researchers to monitor them. Clark said it was his understanding that the other calves were doing OK.

 

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The Smoky Mountain News