01-07-2018, 08:58 AM
Almost Two Dozen Animals Killed in Montana Collision
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Train kills 23 elk outside of Helena, Montana.
Most hunters agree that it’s exciting to see elk. Of course, most hunters probably aren’t driving a speeding locomotive at the time.
According to an article in the Independent Record, a train recently struck a herd of elk east of East Helena, killing 23 animals. The impact was so great that none of the carcasses were salvageable for human consumption.
“Pretty much when a 60-mph train hits an elk, they explode on impact, and there’s not much left,” Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks Warden Sgt. Dave Loewen said in the article. “It’s pretty devastating.”
Montana Rail Link officials said in the report the collision occurred about 9:30 p.m., Dec. 30, near the intersection of U.S. Highway 12 and Spokane Creek Road. No one was injured in the crash, and the train did not sustain any damage.
Wardens visited the scene early Dec. 31 to flag dead animals, the story said, and the railroad moved carcasses out of sight. Still, the spectacle generated lots of attention from drivers on the highway.
“It is not a common occurrence for a train to collide with such a large number of animals,” Montana Rail Link spokesman Jim Lewis said in an email quoted in the article.
Biologists estimate that almost 170,000 elk inhabit Montana.
Train kills 23 elk outside of Helena, Montana.
Most hunters agree that it’s exciting to see elk. Of course, most hunters probably aren’t driving a speeding locomotive at the time.
According to an article in the Independent Record, a train recently struck a herd of elk east of East Helena, killing 23 animals. The impact was so great that none of the carcasses were salvageable for human consumption.
“Pretty much when a 60-mph train hits an elk, they explode on impact, and there’s not much left,” Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks Warden Sgt. Dave Loewen said in the article. “It’s pretty devastating.”
Montana Rail Link officials said in the report the collision occurred about 9:30 p.m., Dec. 30, near the intersection of U.S. Highway 12 and Spokane Creek Road. No one was injured in the crash, and the train did not sustain any damage.
Wardens visited the scene early Dec. 31 to flag dead animals, the story said, and the railroad moved carcasses out of sight. Still, the spectacle generated lots of attention from drivers on the highway.
“It is not a common occurrence for a train to collide with such a large number of animals,” Montana Rail Link spokesman Jim Lewis said in an email quoted in the article.
Biologists estimate that almost 170,000 elk inhabit Montana.
Let God lead the way!
Give a man a fish he eats for one day, teach him to fish he eats forever!
Give a man a fish he eats for one day, teach him to fish he eats forever!
