Elk (Wapiti)

Cervus canadensis (Cervus elaphus)

General Status Rank: 
Vagrant
ELCODE: 
AMALC01010
Common Name: 
Elk (Wapiti)
Scientific Name: 
Cervus canadensis (Cervus elaphus)
Synonyms: 
Cervus elaphus
Naming References: 
R169
R283
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Taxonomy
Group: 
Mammal (Terrestrial Mammal)
Kingdom: 
Animalia
Phylum: 
Chordata
Class: 
Mammalia
Order: 
Artiodactyla
Family: 
Cervidae
References: 
R169
Distribution

Ecozones

Taiga Plains, Boreal Cordillera
References: 
H164_05

Distribution

Vagrant in Nahanni National Park Reserve, extreme southwest of NWT.
References: 
H126-05

Number of Occurrences

Elk in the Liard area; verified observation in Nahanni Park in 2003 and Dept of Environment and Climate Change's Dehcho office hears from local residents in Trout Lake that they see and hear at rut time the occasional elk south of the lake (H164_04). One male (5 points) was harvested on 23 September 2005 in Dehcho (62.305N; 123.725W). Samples taken for DNA (N. Larter).
Score: 
A = 1
References: 
H164_04

Area of Occupancy

Score: 
-
Population

Population Size

Unknown
General Status Rank
Rank: 
Vagrant
Status Rank Description: 
Vagrant or very limited population and range; unknown threats.
S Rank: 
SNA
Decision Process Description: 
Not in Infobase in 2000 by omission; 2004 rank based on local knowledge, pers. comm. drafted by S. Carriere - error corrected. Reviewed in 2010, no change. Reviewed in 2015, no change. Reviewed in 2020, modified from undetermined to vagrant - due to lack of new records (more information on frequency of presence).
Last Updated: 
February 14, 2024

References

Ecozones

  • Larter Nic (2004) Notes on re-assessment of mammals. e-mail to S Carriere dated 12/11/04 copy in reference binder - H164_05 Return

Naming

  • Wilson, Don E. and Reeder, DeeAnn M. (2005) Mammal Species of the World. A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference. Johns Hopkins University Press 3rd ed 2142 pages - R169 Return
  • Bradley, Robert, D., Loren K. Ammerman, Robert J. Baker, Lisa C. Bradley, Joseph A. Cook, Robert C. Dowler, Clyde Jones, David J. Schmidly, Frederick B. Stangl, Jr., Ronald A. Van Den Bussche, and Bernd Würsig (2014) Natural Science Research Laboratory, Occasional Papers 327 28 pp. http://www.nsrl.ttu.edu/publications/opapers/ops/OP327.pdf - R283 Return

Number of Occurrences

  • Larter_L (2004) RE:GS Ranks for Mammals. e-mail send 10/12/2004 Print in binder - H164_04 Return

Range Extent

  • Suzanne Carriere (2005) Pers. Comm.. - H126-05 Return

Taxonomy

  • Wilson, Don E. and Reeder, DeeAnn M. (2005) Mammal Species of the World. A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference. Johns Hopkins University Press 3rd ed 2142 pages - R169 Return