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Tagged elk found dead on side of I-55 in Joliet

By FOX 32 Digital Staff
Updated  December 13, 2023 4:39pm CST
Joliet
FOX 32 Chicago

JOLIET, Ill. - An elk was struck and killed on the side of Interstate 55 in Joliet Wednesday morning. 

At about 7:30 a.m., the Illinois Department of Transportation responded to Interstate 55, just before the exit ramp to Interstate 80, for a call of an animal carcass on the far right southbound lane.

According to preliminary information, a vehicle struck the elk and fled the scene. No one has filed a report about hitting the animal.

Upon arrival, the IDOT crew determined the 600-pound elk was tagged and the remains were immediately released to the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.

Biologists believe the elk was from a central Wisconsin herd and wandered into Illinois. It was spotted on trail cameras in Illinois recently.

The animal was recovered by an Illinois resident and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources says they will help that individual with appropriate tagging for processing of the meat.

The Illinois Conservation Police are also assisting with the situation.