Elk

[CERVUS ELAPHUS]

What’s that eerie sound? The squealing, quavering, whistling bellow of elk reverberates this month and next throughout the northern woods of Del Norte and Humboldt counties, where it’s rutting time. Once plentiful in California, elk rebounded from near extinction after being overhunted in the late 1800s. Several thousand now roam the coastal mix

of old-growth forest, grassy meadow

and open clear cut.

Besides bugling, males weighing as much as 1,000 pounds may roll in pungent, urine-soaked mud as a way to advertise their presence to other males . Wildlife enthusiasts who make the pilgrimage to Redwood National and State Parks love the show but know to keep their distance. Even nearby harems of females and calves scatter when the edgy males’ superhormone-charged standoffs escalate into wild chases or potentially deadly battles. The payoff for all this drama? Adorable, gangly calves born in early summer.

NATURAL HISTORY

Mainly found in open meadows near forested

or brushy habitats, often near water. Usually stick

to herds, though large males may live alone except

to mate. Graze on a variety of tasty vegetation

such as blackberry shoots, vine maples,

salmonberry and huckleberry.

KEY CHARACTERISTICS

Golden-brown, standing nearly 5 feet tall

at the shoulder. Adult males distinguished by spreading racks of antlers, up to 5 feet wide,

and shaggy, dark brown manes.