Crossword Genius

Runs from bad-tempered elk (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

moose

'elk' is the definition.
(synonyms)

'runs from bad-tempered' is the wordplay.
'runs' becomes 'r' (cricket abbreviation).
'from' suggests deleting specific letters.
'bad-tempered' becomes 'morose'.
'morose' with 'r' removed is 'MOOSE'.

(Other definitions for moose that I've seen before include "North American elk" , "Animal" , "Large US deer" , "Ungulate" , "beasts" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent and The Sun.
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