Elk Calf Release

Published on Jun 10, 2013

Quentin Kujala takes his turn at returning a newly radio-tagged elk calf to its mother in the Upper Bitterroot Valley of Western Montana. Quentin is the Wildlife Management Section Chief for Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP) who, with others, directed that FWP investigate the causes of elk mortality where calf survival rates had plummeted. Thus, the Bitterroot Elk Study began in 2011, under the direction of FWP research biologist, Dr. Kelly Proffitt, and in partnership with The University of Montana and Dr. Mark Hebblewhite. Radioed elk calves that were born in 2011 had a high mortality rate, with predation by mountain lions, black bears and wolves the leading cause of mortality. Radioed calves born in 2012 suffered lower mortality, and predation—primarily by mountain lions—remained the leading cause. This video shot by FWP biologist, Jay Kolbe, documents the start of the third and final year of study this month; a compact radio tag is visible in the ear of the calf. FWP is grateful to numerous donors and organizations for their critical financial contributions to the project, and for the support of landowners and the community at large, which made this research possible.