Viral Video Shows Elk Wearing a Cougar Like a Trophy

The bizarre footage has people puzzled about how a mountain lion ended up stuck on an elk's antlers.

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A viral video has emerged showing an elk walking around with what appears to be the dead body of a mountain lion twisted up in its antlers. The unusual footage has left many people wondering how such an unlikely scenario could have occurred.

Why it matters

The video highlights the complex predator-prey dynamics in Montana, where wolves have been reshaping the behavior of mountain lions and other wildlife. As the state's ecosystem continues to shift, encounters between different species may become even more unpredictable and strange.

The details

The video was not filmed in Montana, but rather somewhere like the National Elk Refuge. However, the conversation around the footage still feels very familiar to Montanans, who are accustomed to debating predator-prey balance, especially when it comes to the impact of wolves on the local ecosystem. Experts believe the mountain lion may have pounced on the elk, only to become entangled in the animal's antlers during the struggle.

  • The video was filmed and shared online on February 11, 2026.

The players

Elk

The large deer species that is seen in the viral video with a mountain lion stuck to its antlers.

Mountain Lion

Also known as a cougar, the predatory feline that became entangled with the elk in the unusual footage.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Nobody can figure out how a mountain lion would even end up stuck on an elk's head in the first place.”

— Outdoors.com (Outdoors.com)

The takeaway

This bizarre video highlights the complex and ever-changing predator-prey dynamics in Montana, where the growing wolf population has significantly impacted the behavior of other species like mountain lions. As the state's ecosystem continues to evolve, encounters between different animals may become even more unpredictable and strange.