The Cherokee Nation is having a Cecil the Lion moment, and the outrage in Tahlequah is palpable. The victim went by the name Hollywood, a moniker the eight-year-old bull elk acquired because he did not fear human beings and seemed to love having his picture taken
Hollywood’s stomping grounds were at the J.T. Nickel Family Nature and Wildlife Preserve, located near the Cherokee Nation capital in Tahlequah. The Wildlife Preserve is operated by the Nature Conservancy and is home to a herd of elk reintroduced to the Ozarks in 2005 after being extinguished by overhunting and habitat destruction more than 150 years ago.
Preserve Director Jeremy Tubbs told the Tulsa World that Hollywood “was always there, and we could direct people over there. People with kids could drive through, and it was almost guaranteed they would see him.… There are no other elk like that on the preserve; they are typically pretty secretive animals.”
The Cherokee word for elk literally translates to “big deer,” but public opinion in the Cherokee Nation appears to be that the killer of the big deer named Hollywood was an exceedingly small excuse for a human being. (Source)
Officials representing a variety of nature and wildlife organizations are now offering a combined $4,000 reward for information leading to the conviction of Hollywood's killers. But even if the poachers are brought to justice, the elk's many admirers are unlikely to feel very satisfied.
Hollywood’s stomping grounds were at the J.T. Nickel Family Nature and Wildlife Preserve, located near the Cherokee Nation capital in Tahlequah. The Wildlife Preserve is operated by the Nature Conservancy and is home to a herd of elk reintroduced to the Ozarks in 2005 after being extinguished by overhunting and habitat destruction more than 150 years ago.
Preserve Director Jeremy Tubbs told the Tulsa World that Hollywood “was always there, and we could direct people over there. People with kids could drive through, and it was almost guaranteed they would see him.… There are no other elk like that on the preserve; they are typically pretty secretive animals.”
Photo by Pat Wawter Source
The Cherokee word for elk literally translates to “big deer,” but public opinion in the Cherokee Nation appears to be that the killer of the big deer named Hollywood was an exceedingly small excuse for a human being. (Source)
Officials representing a variety of nature and wildlife organizations are now offering a combined $4,000 reward for information leading to the conviction of Hollywood's killers. But even if the poachers are brought to justice, the elk's many admirers are unlikely to feel very satisfied.
Photo by Pat Wawter Source
What the heck is the matter with people who are poachers?!
They need to find more of a positive and productive hobby, instead of playing with their ego!