Unusual Behavior by Bison, Bison bison, Toward Elk, Cervus elaphus, and Wolves, Canis lupus

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...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:The Canadian Field-Naturalist
Main Authors: Mech, L. David, McIntyre, Rick T., Smith, Douglas W.
Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
Language:English
Published: The Ottawa Field-Naturalists' Club 2004
Subjects:
Bison
Bison bison
Wolf
Canis lupus
Elk
Cervus elaphus
Yellowstone National Park
Bison bison bison
Online Access:https://www.canadianfieldnaturalist.ca/index.php/cfn/article/view/892
https://doi.org/10.22621/cfn.v118i1.892
Description
Summary: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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