‘Majestic elk’ died in Rocky Mountain National Park. Now skull and antler are missing

UPDATE: Rocky Mountain National Park rangers were notified of an elk skull with only one antler matching Kahuna’s carcass. Park officials said the skull was cut from the carcass and relocated. The investigation is ongoing. The original story is below.

A massive elk trotted around Rocky Mountain National Park for years and became one of the most popular animals in the country. Now part of its carcass is missing.

Kahuna, as he was often called, was beloved by photographers and park tourists, the National Park Service said. He died of natural causes after he was found injured and underweight.

“Recently, park visitors and area photographers highlighted on social media the passing of a popular large bull elk in Rocky Mountain National Park, referred to as Kahuna, Bruno or Big Thirds,” the National Park Service said on April 8. “He was a majestic elk with distinct large antlers and was widely photographed during his lifetime.”

Many tributes to the animal poured in after his death. On Good Bull Outdoors, a Facebook page dedicated to photographing bulls, he was celebrated as “perhaps the most iconic elk in history.”

The group believed the elk had been killed by a mountain lion after finding tracks near his carcass.

“This bull has given so many the shot of a lifetime and will always be remembered as one of the greatest Bull Elk to wander these parts,” photographer Andrew Sanders said on Instagram. “This next fall there will be a new king to reign!”

Because the elk was so iconic to the park, several photos of Kahuna’s carcass were shared on social media. Park rangers noticed his skull and an antler were missing from the carcass.

Officials are investigating if someone took the antler and skull between March 20 and March 22. It’s illegal to remove wildlife from the national park.

Park rangers ask that anyone who sees suspicious activity or has information on the incident to report it to Rocky Mountain National Park.

“The skull and antlers of this popular elk were cut and illegally removed from Rocky Mountain National Park,” park rangers said. “This elk’s remains should be allowed to return to the earth in Rocky Mountain National Park, where he brought much joy to thousands of park visitors over many years.”

This story was originally published April 11, 2022 at 7:37 AM with the headline "‘Majestic elk’ died in Rocky Mountain National Park. Now skull and antler are missing."