Creatures obtained from a whelk-stall (4)

I believe the answer is:

elks

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'creatures' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both animals as well as being plural nouns.
Perhaps there's a link between them I don't understand?

'obtained from a whelk-stall' is the wordplay.
'obtained from' says the answer is hidden in the clue.
'ELKS' is hidden within 'whelk stall'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for elks that I've seen before include "Moose(s)" , "Large deer of Europe and N America" , "Moose" , "Large deer of Northern Europe" , "Large deer with flattened antlers" .)

I've seen this clue in The Irish Independent.

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