Elk or Wapiti

/Home//Middle School Temperate Rainforest Food Chain/Middle School Temperate Rain Forest Herbivores

Elk or Wapiti
DesertUSA

Range
At one time, elk ranged over most of southern Canada and the United States, even the plains states. Overhunting caused a drastic decline in the populations, and by 1900, they had disappeared from ninety percent of their range. Today, elk are found mostly in the Intermountain West states of Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, Utah and Colorado as well as along the Pacific edge states, Canada, and a few other states like Kentucky and Minnesota. In February 1913, 83 elk were released in Cabin Draw near Chevelon Creek. From these transplants the Arizona elk population has grown to nearly 35,000 animals. Reintroduction programs are underway to reestablish elk in their native ranges.

Habitat
Elk are montane creatures, preferring semi-open forests, mountain meadows, foothills and valleys. They can range for quite a distance in search of food or to colonize new locations. In the winter, elk travel to lower elevations with less snowfall to cover forage. In the summer, they return to the higher elevations and cooler weather. This is called "altitudinal migration."

Visit the web site to learn more.