Meet the "elk" of Elk Grove Village.
Back in the 1925, commissioner William Busse thought it would be a good idea to own some live elk and display them to the public. For the past 84 years, forest preserve officials have continued the mission...taking care of a few dozen elk that live right here in Busse woods.
Officials give WGN's Marcus Leshock an inside look at the feeding process just as a maintenance truck drops a truck full of food into the elk's pen.
The great beasts wait patiently as their specially designed diet is heaved onto the earth. Today they were scarfing on oats and hay. The number one rule is you come to visit....NO FEEDING THE ELK!
A few facts about elk: A newborn calf usually weighs about 35 pounds, while a full grown bull clocks in at about 700; the elk are available for viewing seven days a week, and while they might not be reindeer, they're the next best thing.
The pen itself is located on the northwest corner or Arlington Heights and Higgins Road. They feed the elk every morning, but the time varies depending on what else they have to do that day. Come on down and check it out.
Back in the 1925, commissioner William Busse thought it would be a good idea to own some live elk and display them to the public. For the past 84 years, forest preserve officials have continued the mission...taking care of a few dozen elk that live right here in Busse woods.
Officials give WGN's Marcus Leshock an inside look at the feeding process just as a maintenance truck drops a truck full of food into the elk's pen.
The great beasts wait patiently as their specially designed diet is heaved onto the earth. Today they were scarfing on oats and hay. The number one rule is you come to visit....NO FEEDING THE ELK!
A few facts about elk: A newborn calf usually weighs about 35 pounds, while a full grown bull clocks in at about 700; the elk are available for viewing seven days a week, and while they might not be reindeer, they're the next best thing.
The pen itself is located on the northwest corner or Arlington Heights and Higgins Road. They feed the elk every morning, but the time varies depending on what else they have to do that day. Come on down and check it out.
