A bull elk that was found with two arrows in its back last week (Sept 20) has been found by Parks Canada officials. 

The two arrows, which were protruding from the elk’s upper back, had worked their way out over the week and were recovered by officials, said resource and conservation manager Terry Winkler noting that the arrows were high in the elk’s back but were not life threatening. 

“The injury is healing up. It’s still a bit swollen, but it’s draining well,” he said. “He’s going to recover from it.”

Resource and conservation managers had been out searching for the elk for several days (Sept 21-23) after the original sighting of the elk, he said.

Officials were then alerted to his location at the sulphur springs near Highway 16 but were unable to get close enough to the animal to tranquilize him.

A photographer alerted Parks to the elk’s location near Talbot Lake a few days later, but officials didn’t tranquilize him as he appeared to be moving well and without the arrows.

According to Winkler, the attempted poaching probably happened on Sept. 19th or 20th due to the amount and freshness of blood seen on the animal when he was first spotted.

Parks is requesting anybody with information relating to this incident contact Joe Storms at 780-852-6234 or Jasper National Park dispatch at 780-852-6155.