Cervus canadensis

Wapiti are highly social and migratory animals, forming large herds that move between feeding and breeding grounds. They are most active during dawn and dusk, feeding on a variety of vegetation. The males, known as bulls, emit loud bugling calls during the rut to attract females and assert dominance.

The breeding season, or rut, occurs in early fall. During this time, bulls gather harems of cows and defend them against rival males. Fights for dominance can be fierce, involving antler wrestling. Gestation lasts around 240-262 days, with cows giving birth to a single calf in late spring.

Wapiti are among the largest deer species, with bulls standing up to 5 feet tall at the shoulder and weighing up to 730 pounds. They have distinctive reddish-brown coats in summer that turn darker and more gray in winter. The bulls' antlers, which can grow over 5 feet long, are shed and regrown annually.

Wapiti once roamed across much of North America and parts of East Asia. Their numbers declined drastically in the 19th century due to overhunting and habitat loss. Conservation efforts in the 20th century, including the establishment of protected areas and reintroduction programs, have helped to stabilize and increase their populations.

Today, wapiti populations are stable and even increasing in some areas, thanks to successful conservation and management efforts. They inhabit protected lands, national parks, and remote forested areas. However, they still face threats from habitat fragmentation, disease, and potential conflicts with agriculture.