Colorado Elk Rut and Bugling Mating in Rocky Mountain National Park

The elk is the second-largest wild herbivore, or cervid, after the moose. The Roosevelt’s elk, Tule elk, Rocky Mountain elk, and the Manitoban elk are four of the six North American subspecies that still exist in the wild, while the Eastern and the Merriam’s Easter elk subspecies are extinct.

Elk are popular as hunting game, while its meat is a specialty in some restaurants and stores, and its antlers are used in novelty items and traditional East Asian medicine. Although some herds suffer from infectious disease, the general population is increasing and listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.

5 Incredible Facts!

The male bugling sound is made from simultaneously roaring and whistling, as evidenced by their moving both their lips and their nostrils.
Elk consume an average of 9.1kg (20lbs) of vegetation every day.
Adult males (bulls) can run up to 40mph.
The elk is the unofficial mascot of Estes Park, Colorado, since it is one of the most often spotted wildlife there.
Wapiti (waapiti) is a word meaning “white rump” in Shawnee and Cree.