Grand Canyon to track elk movements with GPS collars

GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK, Ariz. – Wildlife biologists will be tracking elk at the Grand Canyon to figure out how to best manage the animals that were reintroduced to the region.

Ten adult elk will be fitted with GPS collars that will gather data on their movements from late August through October. The collars are designed to fall off after two years.

Biologists say they want to better understand how the massive animals interact with visitors and the roughly 2,000 people who live at the Grand Canyon’s South Rim. They’ll use the information to craft an elk management plan.

Elk are a common sight at the national park, but officials warn people to keep a safe distance from them.

Elk create traffic jams, drink from water-filling stations and can become aggressive in the fall rutting season.