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The animal commonly referred to as Elk in North America is also known by the Algonquin name Wapiti. It is a subspecies of the Red Deer and it is the largest of the deer family. This animal, at one time, was quite abundant on this continent. Its total members in the 17th century were about 10 million and today we may be lucky to find half a million of this particular species.
Long ago Indians performed a dance ritual called the "dance of the deer". Later on a group of Americans of European decent performed a fraternal order which they called elk. Interestingly enough both groups used to kill the wapiti for its canine teeth, leaving the rest of the carcass to rot.
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The Wapiti is larger than a red deer, up to 2.7 m (9 feet) long in head and body, 1.5 m (5 feet) high at the shoulder and weighing up to 453.5 kg (1000 lbs). It resembles the red deer in colour except that it is less reddish in summer and it has a prominent light rump patch. Wapiti means "white deer", and probably refers to this light patch. The antlers of a Wapiti may reach 1.7 m (66 inches) above its head.
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At one time tens of millions of wapiti occupied all the forest areas but dwindled when white settlers started slaughtering them indiscriminately. They were once found throughout North America, from Canada to the Mexican border. Wapiti are still found in the Rocky Mountains, southern Canada and in the vast national parks in the U.S.A.
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The Wapiti is a herbivorous animal, eating fruit and vegetables, as well as alfalfa, hay, corn, oats and barley. At Marineland, they are also supplied with a salt block and minerals.
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In the early fall mature bulls gather the hinds into a harem. As the round up takes place, subordinate stags challenge bulls provocating intense fighting. Gestation period is believed to be between 249-262 days. Hinds give birth to dappled calves weighing up to 13.6 kg (30 lbs). Like a horse, the calf is up within minutes and can run after a few hours. Calves start feeding themselves at 3 months and are weaned and lose their spots around the mating season which is September or October.
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