Elk – or moose as they're known in North America, are the largest deer species in the world and truly awe-inspiring. A bull can reach 2 metres at the shoulder and weigh up to 700 kg, while their enormous, palmate antlers make them instantly recognisable.
- Moose vs elk – what’s the difference between these enormous deer species?
- What wildlife can I see in Yellowstone National Park, USA?
Elk are also native to the British Isles, but they disappeared around 3,000 years ago, likely due to hunting and habitat loss. Across Europe, they still thrive in much of Scandinavia and Russia, and are gradually recolonising areas as far west as the Poland–Germany border.
More amazing wildlife stories from around the world
- When a colossal sea creature washed up on a beach in Britain, experts were called in to solve the mystery
- 'Ghost sharks' are lurking off the coast of Washington – and they have teeth growing out of their foreheads
- More than 1,000 rattlesnakes caught in Michigan wetlands. What scientists find in their DNA is concerning
- Researchers deploy 120 robots in Everglades National Park. Their mission is to help catch 20ft snakes