Description

The elk or wapiti is one of the largest species within the deer family found in North America.
Elk range in forest and forest-edge habitat, feeding on grasses, plants, leaves, and bark. Male elk have large antlers which are shed each year. Males also engage in ritualized mating behaviors during the rut, including posturing, antler wrestling.

The red deer (Cervus elaphus) is one of the largest deer species. The red deer inhabits most of Europe, the Caucasus Mountains region, Asia Minor, Iran, parts of western Asia, and central Asia.

Wapiti were introduced into Australia in the mid 1980s and a small wild population exist along with several breeders in Northern Queensland who have imported superior genetics from USA.

Wapiti are the largest species of the deer species, used for velvet and venison production. A common use of Wapiti is to cross with red deer to produce a hybrid that is able to reach higher slaughter weights than red deer.