Meet the animals

Learn more about the animals at Beavers Bend Safari Park!

Elk, Meet The Animals

Elk

Meet the Elk

Elk are one of the largest species of animals in the deer family and one of the largest terrestrial mammals in North America, as well as Central and East Asia. Male Elk have large antlers that they shed each year. They have thick bodies with slender legs and short tails.

About the Elk

Elk range in forest and forest-edge habitat, feeding on grasses, plants, leaves, and bark. They are social animals and tend to form groups that can reach up to 400 individuals. Male Elk, or Bulls, have a loud, high-pitched, whistle-like vocalization known as bugling, which showcase the male’s strength and fitness over great distances.

Height	2’6″ to 4″11″ (to the shoulder)
Weight	Male 392-1,016 pounds; Female 377-644 pounds
Diet	Grasses, plants, leaves, bark
Gestation Period	8-9 months
Life Span	10-13 years
Threats	Poaching, urban sprawl