Wildlife experts didn’t have much hope for an elk named ‘Lucky’ after he was released back into his natural habitat.

In 2006, a Tillamook area woman said the elk came into her yard and ate dog and horse feed, but they tried to keep it in the wild. Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife officers said they took control of the animal after neighbors complained.

Reporter Blog: Elk not so lucky

Fish and Wildlife officers brought him to a remote area of the forest. But the young bull elk soon found his way into houses and jumped into the back of a pick-up truck.

Wildlife officials said it’s a reminder for people not to handle wildlife since it’s natural for wild mothers to temporarily leave their young.

Slideshow: Lucky released into wild

People may think they’re helping, but usually can’t provide the appropriate diet and environment for the young animal, which can lead to malnourishment and death, officials said.

Experts also said it’s too difficult to put most native species in zoos or other educational institutions.

"Lucky was seemingly harmless as an elk calf," district wildlife biologist Herman Biederbeck said. "But he became a public nuisance when he matured, growing in size and strength.”

On July 18, Lucky was brought to a very remote part of the Cascades. But they were not optimistic that "Lucky" will survive for long in the wild.

He has very limited survival instincts to find food, escape predators, or interact with other elk.

Not only is removing young animals harmful to wildlife; it is also a crime.

It’s also a crime. Last year OSP cited nine people for the misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in jail and a $6,250 fine.

ODFW said the state has licensed rehabilitators in the extreme case they have to take an animal from the wild.

If you see a seemingly abandoned, animal, call wildlife officials or state police.