Elk

An elk in Glade, near Castlegar

The elk (Cervus elaphus) is a large hoofed ungulate able to eat from 16-20 pounds of grasses, willows, alders and mountain maple in a given day. Elk in British Columbia have been yellow listed (not at risk).

Map

Biodiversity Interactive Map - Elk

Range

• Formerly widespread in Canada and the United States, now mostly restricted to the West, with small reintroduced populations elsewhere. Introduced in Russia and New Zealand.
• Found mostly in the East Kootenay, west of the Rockies and as far north as Valemont

Habitat

Sub-alpine habitat consisting of meadows and stands of pine and aspen. The elk tend to move into the valley bottoms as the snow begins to cover the sub alpine in the fall.

Reproduction

• Gestation: 8 months
• 1 calf born May or early June
• Twins are rare

Listing and Date

Threats to Species

• Habitat loss
• Predation
• Competition for forage with domestic livestock, deer and mountain sheep
• Road and rail kills
• Hunting and poaching

Select Reports

• Ungulate Aerial Survey Analysis and Summary
• Skattebo Habitat Enhancement

Full Reports

• Ungulate Aerial Survey Analysis and Summary
• Columbia Basin, Large Mammal Monitoring: 1994-97 Aerial Surveys Final Report
• Columbia Lake Rocky Mountain Elk Radio Collar Monitoring Report
• Willowbank Mountain Ungulate Enhancement Proposal

For more information on this species, visit: The BC Species and Ecosystem Explorer and enter “elk” in the Species Name field.