A group of visitors were driving through the wilderness of the Smoky Mountains in east Tennessee when they found themselves caught up in an unusual type of traffic jam. It was a traffic jam called a herd of Elk and there appeared to be more than a dozen or more crossing the road.
This happened around the Oconaluftee Visitor Center, which is a building built in 1940 for visitors to get information about Oconaluftee, a river valley where the elk were spotted roaming. It’s also a place to park and use the restroom that’s open year-round to visitors.
Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency say if you see an elk while you’re driving and if they’re in the way then slow down your car and pass them. Do not get out of your car. Stay in the vehicle because they can get up to 900 pounds and have been known to seriously injure people.
The bull elk especially gets aggressive around mating season and if you get on its nerves and you’re standing outside your car you will not be able to outrun them. Elk can run 45 miles an hour and easily stomp through three feet of snow. The officials recommend you always have a place to retreat to when they’re around.
Overall, if you keep yourself safe while passing one of these majestic beasts on the side of the road it can be one of the most thrilling experiences you’ll have while driving. Check out the video news report below from WBIR.