Irish elk: the giant deer that towered over humans and went extinct 8,000 years ago

The male and female Irish elk (Cervus megaceros), now extinct. Reproduction of a painting by J Smith. Antlers. Extinct animals. Elk. Megaloceros. Contributors: John Henry Smith (active 1852–1893).

This photo shows how gigantic an Irish Elk looks compared to two humans. Megaloceros giganteus — literally “giant horn” — is the scientific name for this anima…