The elk, or wapiti (Cervus canadensis), is one of the world’s largest deer species. It is a member of the deer family (Cervidae) and is second in size only to the moose. Elk graze in forests and at forest edges, where they feed on grasses, plants, leaves and bark.

Native to North America and eastern Asia, they have always adapted well to the native species and ecosystems of their new territories. During the rut, male elk, which have large antlers they shed annually, engage in mating rituals that include posturing, wrestling and bugling. The latter, which is one of the most distinctive calls in the animal kingdom, consists of a numerous loud screams emitted to establish dominance over other males and attract females. In some cultures, the elk is revered as a spiritual entity.