In 2000, with the help of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, elk were returned to the land that they had last been seen in over 150 years ago. The reintroduction has been a resounding success, and it has been decided that more releases will not be necessary.

Crowds gather to watch the first elk to roam the Smokies in over 150 years.

One of the elk sniffs the air in his new home.

Two bulls in Cataloochee Valley.

Bugles in the Mist.

The next generation of
Smoky Mountain Elk.

The enclosure that was used to acclimate the elk to their new home.

Elk have learned to lick salt off of cars in the Cataloochee Valley.

There's more to come - I'll be putting in some updates on the reintroduction soon...

Fall 2006: The elk are now commonly seen in the Oconaluftee region of Cherokee.