A male Elk that wandered into a wooded area near City Centre and Albert Street Tuesday morning has been shot and killed.
Police say all attempts to tranqualize the elk were exhausted.
"We couldn't get close enough to the Elk and after multiple attempts, it became agitated. For public safety, we had to put the animal down", Police tweeted just after 2:30 p.m.
The decision was made with the City of Ottawa and the National Capital Commission.
The elk was first spotted just after 7:30 a.m. Tuesday morning.
At first, police were concerned about how the elk might affect traffic during the morning rush hour.
The Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources have sent wildlife officials to the scene to help contain and rescue the elk.
A crowd of onlookers gathered on the bridge at City Centre to watch police and wildlife officials try to corral the elk.
@OttawaPolice said tried on many occasions to use dart. Couldn't get close enough. Worried 800lbs #Elk would run into traffic. @ctvottawa
— John Hua (@johnhuaCTV) October 8, 2013
Ottawa #elk just placed on trailer an covered with tarp. @ctvottawa @ctvnews
— John Hua (@johnhuaCTV) October 8, 2013
Ottawa #elk just placed on trailer an covered with tarp. @ctvottawa @ctvnews
— John Hua (@johnhuaCTV) October 8, 2013
#Elk is down with tranquilizer. @OttawaPolice now surveying the scene. @ctvottawa @CTVNews
— John Hua (@johnhuaCTV) October 8, 2013
Very large trailer just brought on scene. #elk @ctvottawa @ctvnews pic.twitter.com/sWFh3eN3rC
— John Hua (@johnhuaCTV) October 8, 2013
Better shot of the #elk @ctvottawa #citycenter #ctvnews pic.twitter.com/iqvIUPxQYG
— John Hua (@johnhuaCTV) October 8, 2013
The sightings are true!!! #elk in city centre @ctvottawa @ctvnews #ottawa pic.twitter.com/OVFmp6E8OZ
— John Hua (@johnhuaCTV) October 8, 2013
More to come.