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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October 6, 2014 @ 4:21 pm
Really cool. Never have seen that before although we had to follow a herd of cattle being herded down the middle of the road in Tonasket Wa by real life cowboys
September 28, 2014 @ 3:02 am
I live just south of Tillimook, Oregon and have seen many elk in a pasture off of 101. But there were not as many in the herd as this video shows.
September 24, 2014 @ 9:33 pm
They needed a shepherd!
September 24, 2014 @ 11:24 am
Have any of you watched on YouTube: How Wolves Changed the Rivers. There are 2 sides to EVERY story. This one is fascinating and beautiful. Don’t hate the wolves.
September 24, 2014 @ 11:35 am
Don’t hate any of God’s creatures. We were all put on this earth for a reason. So chill out and respect all the beauty and joys we have available to us on what is still a beautiful planet. And most of all, don’t demonize/hate what you don’t understand, people or animals.
September 24, 2014 @ 12:29 pm
I saw that a couple of months ago. It was mind boggling.
September 24, 2014 @ 12:41 am
Grew up in Florida; no Elk there. Spent the rest of my life N. Texas; haven’t seen any Elk there either. That was awesome! Thank you sooooo much!
September 22, 2014 @ 10:33 am
YES….wolves do kill ‘for fun’ and to teach their young how to hunt and kill! Montana already has wolves….they didn’t need to import Canadian Wolves into Idaho and Montana! ….Wolves are vicious killers….many wolves dragging down a animal and eating it while it’s alive ….. IF you saw a wolf kill …. it is gory to say the least …. and sickening beyond imagination!
Wolf population need “controlled” by hunting and trapping. Our “other wildlife” deserve a break from wolves and wolf lovers. ….. This was a great video and I too don’t like barbwire for many reasons such as this. …. as humans we also can very brutal ….. but some things are necessary!!
September 22, 2014 @ 3:39 am
For me living in a small fishing in South Africa, it was absolutely awesome, i was so worried for the young’un… and when that car drove through quite agitated, but it actually did the trick, making him/her run back & so manage to get over! so thankful that they waited for him/her.. thank you for videoing this & sharing
September 21, 2014 @ 6:39 pm
Well there is two things Bozemen Mt. is famous for. For those big bang fans you know what i mean
September 22, 2014 @ 9:39 am
Haaaaaaaaaa!
September 21, 2014 @ 12:19 pm
Wolves do not kill for fun or sport. Like any predator, they kill for survival. Sometimes they do what is known as surplus killing which is to secure future meals. It is a tactic they and other predators have developed to further their existence. Do some research before making such absurd claims.
September 21, 2014 @ 12:35 pm
Thank you Ruby for introducing some sense into the nonsense.
September 22, 2014 @ 10:40 am
Wolves “DO” kill for FUN …. and to teach their young how to KILL!
Wolves are very ugly killing machines!
Catching and dragging down their prey and eating them while they are alive …..
Wolves are beautiful animals …… but they too need controlled!
September 22, 2014 @ 10:54 am
OMG, wolves are just like humans. Except that their violence is a product of nature; ours, an issue of choice. I prefer the ‘wolf’ model; they have excuses for what they do. Humans don’t unless you count ignorance.
September 22, 2014 @ 12:05 pm
Absolutely absurd … !!! Any wild kill is gory … for that matter, any kind of kill is gory, even in the slaughter houses. Yet, we all have to eat.
September 21, 2014 @ 10:53 am
Isn’t that something. Demonizing wolves, cougars, and deer because they don’t fit our image of what nature should be. So wolves kill for fun some of you have commented. Just like humans i’ll point out. “Montana was better without them” Dennis wrote. Don agreed and took it further “Ditto for cougar and deer.” With their logic, i’ll add ditto for humans. The human species, walking around loose and reproducing. Scary.