Fishermen bring up unexpected catch: Ancient Giant Elk Skull

A pair of fishermen from Northern Ireland pulled in something with their net they weren't expecting ... an ancient Irish Elk skull with its antlers still attached. The Irish Elk, also known as the Great Elk or the Giant Elk, has been extinct for more than 10,000 years.

The species' name is a misnomer, as the animals were found beyond Ireland, and were actually deer. Megaloceros giganteus was among the biggest species of deer that have ever lived on Earth. The animals also lived in Europe, northern Africa, and northern Asia. Irish Elk are thought to have been driven to extinction due to environmental change, when the grasslands the animals relied on were replaced by dense forests.