Elk babysitting little ones

[northernbc]

Out for a tour and watched a line of elk move thru a slash. One mature cow leading 8 of this years calfs and one juvenile cow bringing up the rear. No other moms around at all. Has anyone noticed this before. I was hoping to learn something here. Thanks

[Bonz]

weird. or only one left after the other cow got killed off in a group?

[IronNoggin]

weird.

Wrong. Not at all uncommon for elk cows to take over "babysitting" duties while the other feed / wander / etc.
Seen it FAR too often both in the National Parks I worked, and areas outside of those not to realize this is pretty much a common occurrence.

Cheers,
Nog

[northernbc]

okay this is what I was after so they do babysit thank you it just seemed different as there was no other cows around at all really nice to see tho as the calfs were in great shape..

[RobTurbo]

Sounds like they were on a FIELD trip LOL

[J_T]

Yup, Iron Noggin is right. Sometimes it's hard to see it, but usually - depending on the number of young - there will be 2 or 3 cows watching over the nursery while the other cows relax, eat, sleep etc. When they move, there is almost always a lead cow and a tail gunner, with the calves in between.