Zarechny, 8 November 2011. PenzaNews. According to official information, now there are six elks in Zarechny — three elk cubs, two female and one male elk.

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According to the newspaper “Zarechie”, one week ago the elk attacked 38-year-old woman near the house №12 in Strointeley Street. She is in the hospital with suspicion of brain concussion. It is the second incident for two years and all last week there were 7 citizens complained on the wood elks.

Meanwhile, according to ecologists, if the male elk will be taken out of the city, it will not solve the problem. They will try to get to females but young elks can not endure a move.

The elk or wapiti (Cervus canadensis) is one of the largest species of deer in the world and one of the largest land mammals in North America and eastern Asia. In the deer family (Cervidae), only the larger moose (Alces alces), which is called an "elk" in Europe, and the sambar (Rusa unicolor) rival the elk in size. Elk are similar to the Red Deer (Cervus elaphus) found in Europe, of which they were long believed to be a subspecies. However, evidence from a 2004 study of the mitochondrial DNA indicates they are a distinct species.

Elk range in forest and forest-edge habitat, feeding on grasses, plants, leaves, and bark. Although native to North America and Eastern Asia, they have adapted well to countries where they have been introduced, including Argentina, Australia, and New Zealand. Their great adaptability may threaten endemic species and ecosystems into which they have been introduced.

Male elk have large antlers which are shed each year. Males also engage in ritualized mating behaviors during the rut, including posturing, antler wrestling (sparring), and bugling, a loud series of vocalizations which establishes dominance over other males and attracts females.