ELK
Nestucca Bay National Wildlife Refuge - Pacific City, Oregon
DID YOU KNOW?
The Wild Wapiti
Elk are also known as "Wapiti" which comes from the Native American origins of Waapiti. The Shawnee and Cree meaning is "White Rump".
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Can you spot the White Rump of the grazing Wapiti?
A Knowing
Elk have learned and adapted an offensive skill of changing their habitat based on hunting seasons.
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A hunter once explained that the Elk can be found on the hunting approved areas during the off season and once season comes, they move to graze on restricted areas. They Know, amazing!
Next Sprinting Star
Elk can weigh up to 1,100 pounds and are usually 5-6 feet tall at the shoulders. These massive animals can run and run fast - up to 40 miles per hour, which is faster than some horses on a short distance sprint!
Matriarchal Herds
Herds travel together in the hundred to thousands and at the head, a single Female stands tall in leading them all. The "Old Cow" will take all the other females up into the mountains during the summer season so they can give birth to the next generation.
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I wonder what they might converse about - those powerful, royal, and regal beasts altogether?
SPIRITUAL MEANING
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Strength and Endurance - due to the long and difficult terrain these animals have to navigate
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Divine protection from harm
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Community and Unity
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Feminine Intuition and Leadership
UNIQUE
Each year the male Elk has a stage in their Antler Growth called Velvet Antlers. During this time, they grow up to one inch a day making it the fastest growing animal tissue on the planet! Their growth depends on exposure to sunlight, nutrition, past injuries, etc.
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These animals shed their antlers naturally after reproduction and have historically been used by humans to help with immune health, muscle development, and treating injury.