Bugles and Boundaries: a comparative analysis between free ranging and restricted elk breeding behavior

Project Abstract

Eastern elk (Cervus elaphus canadensis) were pronounced extinct by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in the late 1800s (Shoemaker, 1939). Since that time, efforts have been made to reintroduce elk from western states into their native eastern range, and now inhabit Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia, North Carolina, and Kentucky. Elk were first brought to Kentucky from Elk Island National Park, Alberta, Canada, as part of an experiment to demonstrate their ability to help maintain healthy prairie habitats. These elk reside in the Land Between the Lakes, Elk and Bison Prairie (EBP), which includes 700 acres of fenced-in grassland habitat shared between elk and bison. This EBP herd has been instrumental for continued restoration of elk into Tennessee, North Carolina, and West Virginia. This large amount of space creates an environment for elk to thrive; however, not being able to roam freely may influence their behavior.

Elk rut, or their mating season, typically occurs early September through mid October (Wichrowski, 2005). During this time, bull (male) elk use vocalization, called bugling, to attract females (cows) and ward off rival bulls. These bugles can vary in pitch, frequency, and duration, depending on the male’s age and intentions (Thomas, 1980). The vocalization as well as mating behavior are tightly related in larger elk populations. A study done in Rocky Mountain National Park found the frequency of male elk bugles displayed a specific function when attracting mates (Feighny, et al., 2006). However, few studies have compared how elk mating behavior and bugling frequency differs in captive situations like the EBP. Because successful reproduction is important at EBP for future restoration efforts, understanding how mating behavior differs in a captive setting may help future management efforts while also assisting in future restoration of the species in the wild.

Because the male elk in EBP are constrained into a limiting space, they are not able to move females away from other males as they would in a free-range population. A possible outcome of this could lead to more frequent and aggressive bugling. Additionally, the restricted area may shift male behavior from following and defending harems, to more territorial patterns. In this case we would expect to observe the same males and females occupying the same areas, rather than moving in circles and having a wide range.

Here we propose to analyze elk calls and behavior to test these hypotheses. The behavioral observations and audio recording will be analyzed to determine the spatial and temporal patterns of breeding behavior across the rut and different locations within the prairie. The data will be compared to published data and research from free-ranging elk populations, including the source population, to identify any potential difference in breeding behavior due to captivity (McCullough 1969; Geist, 1966; Struhsaker 1967).

All of the data collected will provide an understanding of elk mating behavior and vocalization within a managed setting. During the Spring 2026 semester, we will use the collected data to compare elk behavior in captive elk at EBP to free-ranging elk in other studies. To complete this project, we request $800. Our budget includes a spotting scope used for behavioral data, gas money, the cost of batteries for the audiomoths, and a potential AI software to help combine audiomoth data.

Conference

N/A

Funding Type

Travel Grant

Academic College

Jesse D. Jones College of Science, Engineering and Technology

Area/Major/Minor

Wildlife Biology and Conservation

Degree

Wildlife Biology

Classification

Senior

Name

Dr. Howard Whiteman

Academic College

Jesse D. Jones College of Science, Engineering and Technology

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