Latest news with #elk
Yahoo
08-07-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Young elk exhibits remarkable speed while fleeing wolves in Yellowstone
Mature elk can run 40 mph when they become so inspired, and recent footage from Yellowstone National Park shows that young elk are likewise fleet of foot when their lives are at stake. The accompanying footage, captured by Andrea Baratte, shows part of a scene that unfolded last week after the Wapiti wolf pack had separated an elk calf from its mother. 'The calf swam across the river and, thinking the wolves were gone, decided to swim back,' Baratte explained via Instagram. 'Unfortunately, three wolves were waiting on the other side.' RELATED: Bison stampede footage shows that iconic critters are 'born to run' The footage opens with the elk sprinting at top speed and plunging into the Yellowstone River, with two of the three wolves continuing the chase in the water. The footage ends there, but Baratte assured, 'In a brave attempt, the calf made it safely back to its mother.' Yellowstone provides summer habitat for as many as 20,000 elk. The park is also home to more than 100 wolves, which prey on elk, deer, bison, and smaller mammals. As Baratte noted, wolves have a low success rate when it comes to hunting large mammals. But a single kill can provide days of sustenance. This article originally appeared on For The Win: Yellowstone elk calf exhibits remarkable speed while fleeing wolves
CBC
08-06-2025
- CBC
'Extremely aggressive and protective': Elk calving season underway in Alberta
Social Sharing Visitors to Alberta's national parks and the Rocky Mountains are being warned to watch out for more than just bears, when it comes to potentially dangerous wildlife. Elk calving season is underway, with cow elk giving birth and starting to raise their offspring from mid-May to early July. The risk around aggressive elk encounters during this season is why Nick de Ruyter, the WildSmart program director at the Biosphere Institute of the Bow Valley, has dubbed them "the most dangerous animal in Alberta, by far." Many people are likely to have misconceptions around elk, de Ruyter said, and potentially think they're harmless herbivores. "They don't have big sharp teeth and claws, so people think they're really tame animals," he said. But the danger they pose doesn't come from their diet or desire to kill. It comes from how common they are in places frequented by people. "Mother elk are extremely aggressive and protective of their calves … they are going to be a lot more aggressive right now than bears," said de Ruyter. Dan Rafla, a resource management officer with Parks Canada, said visitors to Banff National Park should be incredibly wary of elk during calving season. "If you see a solitary female around, give her a wide berth. It either means she's getting ready to give birth, or she's given birth and there might be a calf nearby that you cannot see," said Rafla. He added that newborn calves remain immobile and scentless as a defence strategy — the goal is not to be seen by predators, and curious tourists that get too close are likely to be perceived as predators by defensive mothers. "With a lot of visitors coming, they might find [elk calves] kind of an exciting thing to see, or get too close," he said. "Moms can be very defensive, and that has led to people getting charged." Parks Canada advises people to keep at least 30 metres away from elk at all times. "I think the most common mistake is people are really excited to see wildlife and they want to get a photograph, so they approach too quickly," said Rafla. "They don't notice subtle signs of that elk actually changing behaviour and getting stressed, they get too close, and before they know it, the elk is charging them." The Government of Alberta says signs of an agitated elk may include "staring with flattened ears and raised rump hair, curled lips, grinding teeth, and charging and kicking." In the event of an elk charge, Rafla says people should try to look big, pick up a stick, ensure any children you're with are close to you, face the animal and back away. Maintaining eye contact is a better course of action when encountering aggressive elk, rather than turning around and running or playing dead. Warnings, closure in effect Temporary area closures may be put in place when necessary, said Rafla. Last weekend, for example, Parks Canada closed an area at the west slope of Tunnel Mountain, south of the Tunnel Mountain Trail, from May 30 to June 1 to provide a secure habitat for elk during calving season. Near Canmore, Alberta Parks has issued elk-specific wildlife warnings for Bow Valley Wildland Provincial Park trails east of Cougar Creek as well as locations throughout Larch Island, effective from May until further notice. Elk are relatively common in Alberta. They can be found across Banff, Jasper and Waterton national parks, throughout Kananaskis Country, and elsewhere in the boreal and foothills regions of the province. So Parks Canada and Alberta Parks advise caution even beyond the specific areas they name. "It's being respectful towards wildlife," said Rafla. Elk and other animals are most commonly seen in the Bow Valley at this time of year, Rafla added. "There's still a lot of snow higher up in the mountains," he said. "New, fresh vegetation is growing in the valley bottom … so you have a high concentration of deer, of elk, as a result. You also have predators that will follow, seeking out the fawns and the calves as well." Rafla also stressed the need to prevent elk encounters involving dogs. "Dogs need to be under control at all times and kept on a leash … [it's] preferred, really, to leave them at home, especially this time of year," he said.
CTV News
04-06-2025
- CTV News
Dog killed in Canmore elk attack: Fish and Wildlife
Alberta Fish and Wildlife says a dog was killed by a elk in Canmore last week. In a statement sent to CTV News, Fish and Wildlife said officers were called to the area at 10 a.m. on Sunday, May 25 for reports an elk had charged a dog, injuring it. Officials say the dog didn't survive the attack. The elk was gone when officers arrived. Fish and Wildlife officers are using the tragic event to illustrate the importance of being cautious when in areas where elk are commonly seen. 'Remember that all elk can be dangerous during any season,' Fish and Wildlife said in a statement. 'Female elk can be especially aggressive during calving season (mid-May to early July). Male elk can be aggressive during the autumn rut (September to November).' Signs of an agitated elk include: staring with flattened ears and raised rump hair, curled lips, grinding teeth, charging and kicking. Backcountry visitors are encouraged to stay at least 30 metres away from elk and avoid taking pets into areas where elk are calving. 'If you must take your pets, keep them on leash at all times,' Fish and Wildlife said. If you are approached by an elk, Fish and Wildlife says to:
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
‘Clubfoot' spotted in northern New Mexico
NEW MEXICO (KRQE) – An elk affectionately known as Clubfoot has been spotted once again in northern New Mexico. Clubfoot roams around the Rio Grande on Cochiti Pueblo and the Rio Jemez on Tamaya. In 2011, wildlife experts found an elk with a serious leg injury and didn't think he would survive but his injuries healed and left him with a distinctive hoof print. New Mexico funds $20 million 'STEM Institute' aimed at improving student scores The Pueblo of Santa Ana Department of Natural Resources has been keeping an eye on him for over a decade now. Clubfoot has become familiar to locals who've followed his story. Wildlife officials said he appears healthy and continues to thrive despite his injury. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Forbes
15-05-2025
- Forbes
Ghostly 1-In-100,000 Piebald Elk Spotted In The Wild In Colorado
A rare piebald elk is living in Colorado. If you were asked to describe an elk, you would probably say it's a big, four-legged brown animal with hooves. Some elk look a little different from their peers. There's a female elk that sports a dappled white coat living in Colorado. Colorado Parks and Wildlife captured stunning images of the wild animal. The elk's color combo is known as piebald. CPW posted the photos to social media on May 12, saying, 'This rare genetic trait occurs in about 1 out of every 100,000 elk and causes a mostly white coat of hair with some patches of brown.' The images are like wildlife glamour shots. The elk has more white on her face while her body is a mix of white and brown. Colorado Parks and Wildlife shared this image of a rare piebald elk cow. The 'bald' part of piebald is a reference to color, like how a bald eagle has a white head. Piebald elk can look very different from each other, with some having more white patches than others. 'Piebaldism is a recessive trait; therefore, both parents must carry the recessive gene for there to be a chance that they will produce a piebald fawn. All of which makes this condition extremely rare,' the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources said in a Facebook post in 2021. The unusual elk lives with her herd near Estes Park in northern Colorado. If Estes Park rings a bell, it may be because it's home to the famous Stanley Hotel, the inspiration for the Overlook Hotel in Stephen King's 'The Shining.' That little tidbit of haunting history doesn't have anything to do with the elk's ghostly appearance. Colorado seems to be a lucky state when it comes to piebald elk. The crew of a CPW wildlife-monitoring helicopter flight caught sight of a mostly white elk cow in 2023. The newly spotted elk is believed to be a different animal than the one seen a couple of years ago, says Kara Van Hoose, CPW public information officer. Wildlife fans have a better chance of spotting a piebald elk in Colorado than just about anywhere else. Officials estimate the state is home to around 280,000 elk, making it the largest population of elk in the world. It's a remarkable comeback story for the big game animals, which once numbered around 40,000 in all of North America in the 1900s, CPW said. A piebald elk in Colorado has become a bit of a local celebrity. Colorado was at the forefront of reviving elk populations. Notably, the state imported 50 elk from Wyoming in 1916 to begin rebuilding the herds. While elk are thriving in Colorado, they still have some threats to contend with—such as vehicle strikes, disease and poaching. The piebald elk's eye-catching coloration means she may blend in well with the landscape during winter, but may also stand out more during warmer months. The elk is a minor celebrity around Estes Park. Colorado wildlife fans shared sightings of the elk with CPW on Facebook. Animals like the piebald elk can attract a lot of attention, much like bison at Yellowstone National Park. Elk are big, powerful wild animals and they're not looking to be your buddy. 'If you're lucky enough to catch a glimpse of her, remember to give her lots of space,' CPW said.
