Elk as Winter-Spring Food for Carnivores in Northern Yellowstone National Park

Abstract

The consumption of 759 elk [Cervus elaphus] carcasses by the predator-scavenger fauna [Canis latrans, C. lupus, Ursus americana, U. arctos, Corvus corax, Haliaeetus leucocephalus, Aquila chrysaetos, Pica pica, Felis concolor and Gulo luscus] on the northern winter range of Yellowstone National Park was monitored during winter-spring of 1974-1975 and 1975-1976. About 70% of 503 carcasses were entirely eaten in 1974-1975, 22% partially eaten and 8% unclean. Equivalent percentages for 256 carcasses in 1975-1976 were 67, 16 and 17%. This represented an observed consumption of about 35,000 kg (80% of that available) in 1974-1975 and about 19,000 kg (75%) in 1975-1976. Actual consumption was much greater. Elk was a major food for the park''s predator-scavenger fauna and may be especially important during periodic severe winters.