‘Unicorn’ elk spotted on trail camera

TAMPICO, Wash. — An unusual sight was captured by a trail camera in Washington State — an animal that appears to have a single antler protruding from its forehead.

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The elk was spotted on a trail camera in Tampico, which is about 15 miles west of Yakima, on Sunday, KIRO reported.

Photos show the animal appears healthy but with a large “horn” in the middle of its head.

Kyle Garrison, a representative with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, told KIRO that the antler abnormality is an uncommon but naturally occurring phenomenon.

Officials explained that the growth usually happens that way because of injury, hormones or genetics that impact the growth of the antler. Looking at the photos, Garrison told KIRO that he believes this elk’s growth is the result of a genetic abnormality.

While the elk appears healthy in the photos, Garrison told KIRO that the antler may eventually hinder the animal’s ability to feed or reproduce.

The pedicle, which is the area from which the antler grows, appears to be in an abnormal location in this elk, which means that when this antler naturally sheds and drops off, a new one will grow in the same place, KIRO reported.

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