Elk warning for Salt Spring — though they may just be enjoying an island holiday

A pair of Roosevelt elk have been surprising Salt Spring Island residents lately.

Provincial wildlife biologist Sean Pendergast said these ungulates are an unusual sight on Salt Spring, where deer are abundant, and he is warning drivers about their presence.

“An elk can do significantly more damage to a vehicle [than a deer] if you do happen to strike it,” Pendergast said.

He said elk-human interactions can cause problems and drivers should use caution at night in areas where they have been seen.

He said the animals probably swam over from Vancouver Island. Elk are plentiful in the Cowichan Valley and the