Unusual behavior by Bison, Bison bison, toward Elk, Cervus elaphus, and wolves, Canis lupus

L.D. Mech; R.T. McIntyre; D.W. Smith

doi:10.22621/cfn.v118i1.892

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Unusual behavior by Bison, Bison bison, toward Elk, Cervus elaphus, and wolves, Canis lupus

L.D. Mech·R.T. McIntyre·D.W. Smith

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Abstract

Incidents are described of Bison ( Bison bison ) in Yellowstone National Park mauling and possibly killing a young Elk ( Cervus elaphus ) calf, chasing wolves ( Canis lupus ) off Elk they had just killed or were killing, and keeping the wolves away for extended periods. During one of the latter cases, the Bison knocked a wolf-wounded Elk down. Bison were also seen approaching wolves that were resting and sleeping, rousting them, following them to new resting places and repeating this behavior. These behaviors might represent some type of generalized hyper-defensiveness that functions as an anti-predator strategy.

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Canadian Field-Naturalist Article

Source-reported bounding extent: 44.0796932742571° to 45.07352060670968° latitude; -111.3134765625° to -109.742431640625° longitude. This indicates report coverage, not an exact sampling location. View area on OpenStreetMap.

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BibTeX RIS

L.D. Mech, R.T. McIntyre, D.W. Smith. 2004-01-01. Unusual behavior by Bison, Bison bison, toward Elk, Cervus elaphus, and wolves, Canis lupus. https://doi.org/10.22621/cfn.v118i1.892

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