Elk

Yellowstone provides summer range for an estimated 20,000–25,000 elk (Cervus elaphus) from eight herds, most of which winter at lower elevations outside the park. These herds provide both visitor enjoyment and revenue to local economies through hunting outside the park. As Yellowstone’s most abundant ungulate, elk comprise approximately 85% of winter wolf kills and are an important food for bears, mountain lions, and at least 12 scavenger species, including bald eagles and coyotes. Competition with elk can influence the diet, habitat selection, and demography of bighorn sheep, bison, moose, mule deer, and pronghorn. Elk browsing and nitrogen deposition can affect vegetative production, soil fertility, and plant diversity. Thus, changes in elk abundance over space and time can alter plant and animal community composition and structure in Yellowstone.