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Four Species of Elk

The four species, or sub-species, of elk native to North America are the Rocky Mountain elk, Roosevelt elk, Manitoba elk and Tule elk. Until the early 1900s, elk were abundant in North America -- their numbers stretching from coast to coast and from Mexico to Canada -- making them the most widely dispersed member of the deer family on the continent. A combination of factors, including hunting, severe winters and the eradication of their natural habitat led to dwindling numbers, but conservation measures have safeguarded the elk's survival. However, two sub-species -- Merriam's, who were native to the Southwest and Mexico, and the Eastern, whose habitat was east of the Mississippi -- are now extinct.

Rocky Mountain Elk
- The Rocky Mountain Elk population is thriving with a population of between 800,000 and 900,000 spread across the mountain ranges to the east of the Cascade Mountains. A highly adaptive species that can survive on a variety of diets, herds of Rocky Mountain elk can also be found in states across North America including parts of Alaska, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, Washington and Wyoming. Rocky Mountain elk are susceptible to an infectious disease called chronic wasting disease, which is fatal to the species but not known to affect humans or cattle.
Roosevelt Elk
- Named after President Theodore Roosevelt, Roosevelt elk are the largest sub-species of elk in North America, much bigger in size than its close relative the Rocky Mountain elk. Roosevelt elk inhabit the coastal forests of Washington, Oregon and north into Canada. While both the male and female of the species have brown heads and pale coats, the male is recognizable by its antlers. The largest unmanaged herd of Roosevelt elk in the Pacific Northwest can be found in the Olympic National Park in Washington state.
Tule Elk
- Their numbers heavily depleted by over-hunting, the Tule elk herds native to California had all but disappeared by the 1870s. Their survival is largely down to the actions of a Californian farm owner called Henry Miller who nurtured and protected a small group of Tule he found wandering on his ranch in 1874. In 1971, state Senate Bill 722 awarded protected status to Tule elk and prohibited hunting of the animals until their numbers exceeded 2,000. By 1998, there were approximately 3,200 elk in the state of California.
Manitoba Elk
- Although it has smaller antlers than its counterpart the Rocky Mountain elk, the Manitoba elk has a much larger body and is known for its dark features and long tines (the branches of the antler). Native to the Duck mountain region of Manitoba in Canada, the species is farmed for its meat and antler products.

Animals & Science