West Ashley Elks Lodge is raising money to “adopt” Clark the Elk at Charles Towne Landing
A few of years ago folks in the upstate started spotting a large elk bull roaming the woods, golf courses, streets, and even their neighborhoods. Folks nicknamed him the “Wandering Elk” or “the Wayward Elk.” Standing about 9 feet tall with his large rack of antlers, the elk was hard to miss. It is believed to be the first elk in South Carolina since the 1700s when the species disappeared from the region.
Apparently this elk got separated from his herd in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, probably while he was out looking for female companionship, and wandered into the upstate from the high North Carolina mountains. South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) hoped the elk would wander back and find his herd. But apparently he liked South Carolina better.
Eventually SCDNR relocated The Wandering Elk to West Ashley, where he now lives in the Animal Forest at Charles Towne Landing (CTL). He was given a plush natural habitat that he shares with some bison and he also got a proper name — Clark, after Second Lieutenant William Clark, one half of famous explorer duo Lewis & Clark. Since Clark is quite an explorer himself, the name seems quite fitting.
Since his aimless wandering days are over and Clark is now officially a West Ashley resident, it seems appropriate that he would be “sponsored” by the local Elks Lodge #242, which is based just down the road from Clark’s home at CTL.
Elks Lodge #242 treasurer Steve Minton shared a newspaper article about Clark with Lonnie Becude, the club’s president (or “Exalted Ruler”). With a goal to increase community involvement, Becude says it was natural for Clark to become the Lodge mascot and for the Lodge to sponsor Clark with monetary donations for his food and veterinary care. It takes a lot of food to feed a 4-year-old Elk bull.
Becude met with CTL Park Manager Rob Powell about the possibility of “adopting” or sponsoring Clark. A self-described reformed hunter and animal lover, Becude has already been to CTL to visit Clark several times. He says Powell even gave him a tour through the back gate and an up close and personal visit with Clark.
“The first time I was out there I had some dog biscuits for him but he was a little skittish,” says Becude. “The next time I slipped him a grainy dog biscuit and he came back for another one and had the biggest smile on his face.”
Becude brought the idea to the floor at the next Elks Lodge meeting. He says the decision was unanimous to move forward with making Clark the Lodge #242’s official mascot. Becude says only one other Lodge in the country has an actual Elk mascot and that one is in Wyoming.
Powell estimates the cost of caring for Clark to be around $7,500 a year. “That goes directly to the care of the elk. It goes towards its food and any sort of entertainment he would encounter in the wild,” he says. “It goes towards his veterinary care and the care of his habitat.”
Powell says Clark actually has two habitats for most of the year, which he shares with the bison in CTL’s Animal Forest. During rutting season is the only time Clark can get a little aggressive and need to be separate him from the other animals.
This month the Charleston Elks Lodge #242 is hosting a fundraising event so they can put together enough money for the sponsorship. On Saturday, July 28, the Lodge will host a special dinner and concert with a silent auction. Tickets are $30 and include dinner prepared by Terrence Freeman of Charleston’s Elite Event Planning and live music and dancing at the lodge, located at 1113 Sam Rittenberg Blvd..
For tickets or more information about the fundraiser, contact the Charleston Elks Lodge #242 at (843) 556-0048.
