Massive Herd of Elk in Montana
This video shows a huge heard crossing the road near Yellowstone. It’s located at Bozeman, MT. We have never seen such a big herd before. Poor little guy at the end. Luckily he finally caught up. What did you think of the elk crossing?
Elk migration in Yellowstone National Park is a fascinating natural phenomenon. Here are some interesting facts about it:
- Seasonal Movement: Elk in Yellowstone undertake one of the longest remaining land mammal migrations in the contiguous United States. They migrate between their winter range in the northern parts of the park and their summer range in the higher elevations of the park.
- Population Size: The northern Yellowstone elk herd is one of the largest herds in North America, with an estimated population of around 10,000 individuals.
- Altitudinal Migration: Elk undertake altitudinal migration, moving from lower elevation winter ranges to higher elevation summer ranges. During winter, they descend to lower valleys where they find milder temperatures and access to food.
- Breeding Season: Elk migration in Yellowstone is influenced by the breeding season, known as the rut, which typically occurs in the fall. During this time, the bulls compete for mating rights by bugling, displaying their antlers, and engaging in physical confrontations.
- Route Selection: The migration routes of elk in Yellowstone are not fixed and can vary from year to year. The selection of routes depends on factors such as snow depth, forage availability, and predator avoidance.
- Natural Barriers: Elk migration routes are sometimes impeded by natural barriers like deep snow or large rivers. These obstacles can influence the timing and success of migration, as elk need to find suitable crossing points.
- Predator-Prey Interaction: The migration of elk in Yellowstone also influences predator behavior. Wolves, Yellowstone’s apex predators, are known to follow the elk herds during migration, targeting weak or injured individuals.
- Ecological Impact: Elk migration plays a vital role in shaping the landscape and maintaining ecological balance in Yellowstone. Their grazing patterns can affect plant growth, and their movements help disperse seeds and nutrients.
- Human-Wildlife Interactions: Elk migration attracts a significant number of visitors to Yellowstone, providing them with opportunities to observe and appreciate this natural spectacle. Park authorities manage traffic and access points to minimize disturbances to the migrating elk.
- Research and Conservation: Scientists study elk migration in Yellowstone to understand the ecological processes and inform conservation efforts. Research helps in evaluating the impacts of climate change, habitat alteration, and human activities on elk populations and their migration patterns.
These fascinating elk migrations in Yellowstone National Park showcase the intricate relationship between wildlife, landscape, and the dynamic processes of nature.
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January 10, 2015 @ 2:14 pm
What a fantastic site, nature is so wonderful.
December 29, 2014 @ 5:57 pm
Amazing! I have indeed seen herds this large. Almost always in winter. Usually antelope. These animals are extremely intelligent and can adapt to a variety of environments quite successfully. Whitetail graze openly with my horses and take advantage of my salt licks, sweet grain, and the hay I routinely leave out.
December 23, 2014 @ 3:23 pm
YES.IN WYOMING,NOT QUITE THAT MANY.ANS YES ALWAYS A YOUNG ONE WITH DIFFICULTY GETTING OVER THE FENCE.
December 17, 2014 @ 10:06 am
Loved it!! Loved the ending!!! 🙂
December 8, 2014 @ 5:40 pm
In 1989 or 1990, I saw a similar convoy; that time, it was pronghorn antelope. They were walking in single file as we crossed Raton Pass in New Mexico on our return to Colorado. They stretched as far as we could see, to our left and our right, and crossing the highway in front of us. We slowed to a crawl as we moved through their line. It was a magnificent sight.
December 3, 2014 @ 11:12 pm
Impressive & o-so relieving when he got over, & yes that a few waited for him. So encouraging. I got mad at the fence & the people who put it there (sorry!) There are a few places now that have overpasses or underpasses for animals migrating. Send to the Park Service at Yellowstone with that idea?
December 1, 2014 @ 3:53 pm
Quite a wildlife moment !!!! I have witnessed a few herds of caribou crossing highways here in Alaska, but no barbwire fences. But the chain length fences to keep moose off the roads sometimes just get moose killed, when the calves can’t follow the cows….
November 26, 2014 @ 4:03 pm
Determination – never give up!
November 20, 2014 @ 7:55 am
They’re so beautiful, it made me cry. I was very glad when the last little fella made it over the fence and the fact that the herd was waiting for him to catch up was awesome. Absolutely breathtaking, and I would truly love to see these beautiful majestic animals.
November 18, 2014 @ 12:27 am
I was a missionary in Africa for 5 years.
On a couple of trips into the Kruger or other national parks, we saw herds that were amazing. My favourite however, was in Ngorongoro, Tanzania. Herds of antelope, Zebra, Cape buffalo, literally in the 100’s and intermingled as well. I understand the Serengeti would even put that to shame during the annual migrations. This was reminiscent. We just don’t have the open ranges for animals to survive in massive herds.
This was beautiful.