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Downloaded from
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(dramatic music continues)

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(dramatic music continues)

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(bright upbeat music)

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[Jim] Welcome to Benezette, Pennsylvania,

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the heart of Elk Country.

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Nestled in the Pennsylvania wilds,

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this small town is home to
the largest free roaming elk herd

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east of the Mississippi River.

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Their history and the conservation efforts

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that have made this region a
haven for wildlife enthusiasts.

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(upbeat music)

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Let us begin our journey in
the lush forest of Pennsylvania,

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where the Allegheny Mountains

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stretch their green cloak fingers toward the sky.

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A majestic creature roams with a presence

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as old as the hills, the elk.

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Pennsylvania's regal woodland
monarch is a testament

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to nature's resilience and
human conservation efforts.

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Once upon a time the eastern elk,

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a subspecies unique to the region,

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wondered freely across the
state's expansive woodlands.

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Their bugles echoed through the valleys,

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and their antler silhouettes

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stood proudly against the horizon.

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However, as settlers arrived and the land changed,

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the eastern elk faced a dire fate.

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By the late 1800s,

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the last native elk in Pennsylvania had vanished,

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a ghost of the wilderness that once was.

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But the story of the
Pennsylvania elk did not end there.

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In the early 20th century,

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a vision for restoration took root.

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The Pennsylvania Game
Commission recognizing the loss

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of this magnificent creature

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embarked on an ambitious project.

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Between 1913 and 1926,

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they released 177 Rocky Mountain elk

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into the wilds of Pennsylvania.

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These transplants adapted,

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thrived and multiplied giving rise to a new chapter

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in the state's natural history.

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Today, over a thousand elk
roam to Pennsylvania wilds,

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their numbers at tribute to the success

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of one of the most remarkable
wildlife restoration stories

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in the northeast.

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Visitors from near and far come to witness

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these giants of the forest,

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to hear their haunting calls

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and to feel the pulse of the wild

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that beats strong in the heart of Pennsylvania.

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(dramatic piano music)

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The elk of Pennsylvania are more than just animals.

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They're symbols of hope of what
can be achieved when we work

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with nature rather than against it.

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They remind us that even
when something precious is lost,

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with care and dedication,

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it can be brought back to grace the earth once more.

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And so, the elk continue to write their narrative,

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one that is intertwined with the very essence

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of Pennsylvania's wild spirits.

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Elk in Pennsylvania exhibit a
range of fascinating behaviors

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that reflect their complex social structures

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and adaptability to the environment.

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Here are some insights into their behavior.

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Rutting season.

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During the early fall,

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male elk enter the breeding season known as the rut.

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This period is marked by captivating displays

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of dominance such as bugling, antler wrestling,

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and herding groups of females.

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The bugle is a unique call
that can be heard from miles

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used by mature bulls to attract females

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and assert dominance over other males.

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Diet.

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Classified as herbivores,

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elk primarily graze on grasses
and forbs such as Timothy,

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alfalfa, clovers,

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and other cool and warm season grasses.

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Elk are herd animals

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and exhibit behaviors that ensure the survival

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and wellbeing of the group.

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They move together, feed together,

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and even protect each other from potential threats.

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Elk may migrate seasonally to find food,

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moving from higher elevations in the summer

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to lower areas in the winter.

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Female elk called cows give birth to calves

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in the late spring and early summer.

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Calves are born with spots
that help camouflage them

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from predators.

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Bull elk grow and shed their antlers annually.

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The antlers, which can be quite large and impressive

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are used during the rut to compete for mates.

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Understanding these behaviors is essential

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for wildlife enthusiasts and conservationists

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who visit Pennsylvania's Elk Country,

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as it helps ensure that the wild essence

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of the elk herd remains for generations to come.

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What is the best time to observe elk in Pennsylvania,

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you may ask?

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Well, the best time to observe elk in Pennsylvania

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is during the mornings and evenings.

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These are the times when elk are most active.

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Additionally, the most popular time of year

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for elk viewing is during the rutting season,

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which typically begins in September

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and carries through October.

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During this period, elk are
more active throughout the day,

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making it an ideal time for visitors

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to witness their fascinating
behaviors and interactions.

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For an optimal viewing experience,

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you might want to visit Elk Country Visitor Center

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in Benezette,

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which is a prime location for elk observation.

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They suggest that early
morning or the hours before dark

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are the best times to see elk.

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Remember to keep a safe distance

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and respect the wildlife as elk are wild animals

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and it's important to observe them

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without causing any disturbance.

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Pennsylvania elk are fascinating animals.

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They use a variety of methods

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to communicate with each other.

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They use sounds, smells,

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and body language to convey different messages

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such as mating, warning,
aggression, or social bonding.

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Here are some examples of
how they communicate, sounds.

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Elk are known for their distinctive vocalizations,

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especially during the rutting season.

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They produce different types
of calls such as bugles, barks,

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chirps, muse, and grunts.

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Each call has a specific meaning and function.

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For instance, bugles are loud and high-pitched calls

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that bulls use to attract cows, challenge rivals,

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or announce their presence.

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Barks are short and sharp sounds

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that elk use to alert others of danger

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or to warn off intruders.

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Chirps are soft and high-pitched sounds

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that cows and calves use to
stay in contact with each other.

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Muse are low in nasal sounds

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that elk use to express curiosity, contentment,

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or submission.

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Grunts are low in guttural sounds that bulls use

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to show dominance or aggression.

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(upbeat music)

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Ultimately, cows have a say in the selection process.

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They may choose to mate
with a bull that has won the right

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to the harem or seek out other bulls

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if they perceive a better genetic match.

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The rut is a dynamic and competitive time for elk

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with each sex playing a
role in the selection of mates

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to ensure the strength and survival of the species.

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Bulls that do not win a harem

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during the rut season in Pennsylvania

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may experience several outcomes.

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Bulls without harems often lead solitary lives

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or form small bachelor groups with other bulls.

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These groups are typically composed of younger

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or less dominant males.

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They may continue to challenge dominant bulls

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in hopes of taking over a harem

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or attracting cows form their own group.

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Some bulls may wait for an opportunity

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when a dominant bull is distracted or weakened

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to attempt to take over the harem.

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Unsuccessful bulls will often
spend the rest of the year

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preparing for the next rut,

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improving their strength and
size to increase their chances

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of winning a harem in the future.

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Without the responsibility of defending a harem,

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these bulls can focus on feeding

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and avoiding predators,

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which may increase their chances of survival.

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It's a competitive world for elk during the rut,

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and not all bulls will be
successful in winning a harem.

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However, they adapt their strategies

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and behaviors to maximize
their chances in the future.

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(upbeat music)

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Elk migration patterns are a fascinating display

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of nature's adaptability.

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Elk are typically seasonal migrants

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inhabiting mid and upper elevations

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from spring through fall,

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and then moving to lower
elevations onto winter ranges

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to escape snow and bitter cold.

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Elk migrations are driven by environmental cues.

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They follow these signs to
move from the winter ranges

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and valleys to summer ranges
and high mountain plateaus.

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The timing and routes of migration

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mostly follows seasonal vegetation growth

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and changes in snow depth.

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After winters with high snowpack,

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elk tend to delay their migration.

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Conversely, with years in lower snowpack

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and earlier vegetation
greenup, elk migrate earlier.

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Research combining GPS tracking data

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with satellite imagery has
created comprehensive models

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of what drives these animals to move.

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Immediate environmental
conditions have been found

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to be very effective predictors
of when migration occurs.

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As climate change reshapes
the weather and environment,

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elk have shown the means to
adjust their migratory patterns

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to match the new conditions.

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This adaptability is crucial for their survival,

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but may also have unknown
effects on local ecosystems.

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These patterns are essential
for understanding elk behavior

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and ensuring their conservation

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as they highlight the importance

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of preserving migration corridors and habitats

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that are critical for their survival.

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The restoration of primary
predators like grizzly bears

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and wolves,

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mean that elk must navigate

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through more dangerous
landscapes during their migrations.

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(upbeat music)

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(dramatic music)

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(dramatic music continues)

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(dramatic music continues)

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(bright upbeat music)

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(bright upbeat music continues)

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(bright upbeat music continues)

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(upbeat music continues)

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(upbeat music continues)

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(upbeat music continues)

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(tape rolling)

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[Tiffany] The elk is one of the largest animals

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in North America.

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Seeing a majestic bull elk in the wild

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is an extraordinary event and
something you'll never forget.

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The fall is mating season,

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so the elk tend to congregate in the open meadows

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and fields, which is great for wildlife watching.

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This time of year,

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males have giant antlers being four feet long.

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They use them to wrestle rival males.

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Bull elks also challenge each other by bugling,

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one of the most distinctive sounds in nature.

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Their bugling can be heard
for miles throughout the region.

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The best time to hear it is early and late in the day.

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It may sound like a whole lot of squealing to you,

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but it's music to the ears of cow elk.

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The females are attracted to
the males that bugle most often

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and have the loudest call.

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(upbeat music)

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(elks bugling)

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Okay, my name's Doty McDowell.

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I'm a wildlife conservation officer

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with the Pennsylvania Game Commission,

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and we're here at the elk viewing area

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on Winslow Hill in Elk County.

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We're basically overlooking a food plot

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00:31:54,030 --> 00:31:56,979
that was put in to attract elk,

268
00:31:57,021 --> 00:32:00,806
and this viewing area was basically created

269
00:32:00,848 --> 00:32:03,318
as more of a people management tool

270
00:32:03,360 --> 00:32:04,904
than wildlife management.

271
00:32:04,946 --> 00:32:07,368
We wanted to provide an area where people could go

272
00:32:07,410 --> 00:32:11,178
and view elk and enjoy the outdoors

273
00:32:11,220 --> 00:32:14,928
with minimal impacts on
the local private landowners.

274
00:32:14,970 --> 00:32:16,878
[Tiffany] It's no accident that elk are often

275
00:32:16,920 --> 00:32:19,668
in the meadows beyond usually at dawn and dusk.

276
00:32:19,710 --> 00:32:22,638
This location has the mix of meadows, forests, water,

277
00:32:22,680 --> 00:32:25,903
and isolation from humans that elk need to thrive.

278
00:32:25,945 --> 00:32:28,608
Through the efforts of the
Pennsylvania Game Commission

279
00:32:28,650 --> 00:32:30,768
and the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation

280
00:32:30,810 --> 00:32:32,268
and Natural Resources,

281
00:32:32,310 --> 00:32:34,548
along with the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation

282
00:32:34,590 --> 00:32:36,798
and other conservation and school groups,

283
00:32:36,840 --> 00:32:39,438
this is now excellent elk habitat.

284
00:32:39,480 --> 00:32:41,238
To entice elk from private lands,

285
00:32:41,280 --> 00:32:44,388
meadows of clover, oats, rye, Timothy, wheat,

286
00:32:44,430 --> 00:32:46,671
and buckwheat have been created on public lands

287
00:32:46,713 --> 00:32:49,023
such as this reclaimed strip line.

288
00:32:51,300 --> 00:32:52,950
Elk are native to Pennsylvania.

289
00:32:54,420 --> 00:32:56,543
Depending on what a historical count you read,

290
00:32:56,585 --> 00:32:59,568
the last elk who was native Pennsylvania

291
00:32:59,610 --> 00:33:02,521
was harvested somewhere around 1867

292
00:33:02,563 --> 00:33:04,323
near the town of St. Mary's.

293
00:33:05,460 --> 00:33:08,628
Then in 1913, the Game Commission brought elk back in

294
00:33:08,670 --> 00:33:10,424
and they brought 'em in Rocky Mountain elk,

295
00:33:10,466 --> 00:33:13,398
and they brought 'em from Jackson Hole, Wyoming.

296
00:33:13,440 --> 00:33:17,580
They brought about 177 elk in from 1913 to 1923.

297
00:33:19,980 --> 00:33:24,498
Now, those 177 elk were actually placed

298
00:33:24,540 --> 00:33:27,408
in 10 different counties in
the state of Pennsylvania.

299
00:33:27,450 --> 00:33:29,808
I think it's ironic though that the last stronghold

300
00:33:29,850 --> 00:33:34,233
of those 177 were actually in Elk County.

301
00:33:35,304 --> 00:33:38,268
- [Tiffany] Elk eat almost
constantly during the summer.

302
00:33:38,310 --> 00:33:40,728
They keep feeding morning, afternoon, evening,

303
00:33:40,770 --> 00:33:42,348
and even in the middle of the night

304
00:33:42,390 --> 00:33:45,228
although they feed more often at dawn and dusk.

305
00:33:45,270 --> 00:33:46,248
They are building up fat

306
00:33:46,290 --> 00:33:48,018
in preparation for the mating season

307
00:33:48,060 --> 00:33:49,908
and then the long winter.

308
00:33:49,950 --> 00:33:51,708
If people had to eat and chew their food

309
00:33:51,750 --> 00:33:53,598
as much as elk do in the summer,

310
00:33:53,640 --> 00:33:56,418
we would have less than 10 free minutes every hour

311
00:33:56,460 --> 00:33:57,513
for other activities.

312
00:33:58,410 --> 00:34:01,428
One elk feeding alone is vulnerable to predators,

313
00:34:01,470 --> 00:34:04,158
but elk feeding in herds are much safer.

314
00:34:04,200 --> 00:34:06,198
At least one animal will have its head up

315
00:34:06,240 --> 00:34:08,103
listening in wobble while others eat.

316
00:34:08,940 --> 00:34:11,973
Elk are even safer when
they're resting and ruminating.

317
00:34:13,110 --> 00:34:15,168
Elk tolerate heat much better than a deer

318
00:34:15,210 --> 00:34:17,658
that often share the same summer habitat.

319
00:34:17,700 --> 00:34:20,928
Deer seek shelter and may
stop feeding during a hot spell,

320
00:34:20,970 --> 00:34:23,448
but elk can sweat more to cool off.

321
00:34:23,490 --> 00:34:25,008
Still, during a hot spell,

322
00:34:25,050 --> 00:34:27,138
they may retreat to north and east slopes

323
00:34:27,180 --> 00:34:29,478
to take shelter among the trees.

324
00:34:29,520 --> 00:34:31,338
They may also stay near water

325
00:34:31,380 --> 00:34:34,128
and sometimes they stand in a stream or pond.

326
00:34:34,170 --> 00:34:37,068
Elk will sometimes wallow
and cover themselves in mud,

327
00:34:37,110 --> 00:34:39,078
which absorbs body heat as it dries

328
00:34:39,120 --> 00:34:41,748
and also protects them from biting insects.

329
00:34:41,790 --> 00:34:45,288
Elk might also head to cooler breezier high country.

330
00:34:45,330 --> 00:34:47,718
Bull elk also carry around air conditioners

331
00:34:47,760 --> 00:34:50,508
that cows don't have, antlers.

332
00:34:50,550 --> 00:34:52,578
Air cools the blood flowing through the velvet,

333
00:34:52,620 --> 00:34:54,670
which then helps to cool the bull's body.

334
00:34:57,210 --> 00:34:59,538
When food is abundant and elk are healthy,

335
00:34:59,580 --> 00:35:02,208
they do what many animals do, they play.

336
00:35:02,250 --> 00:35:03,948
They dash about leaping and kicking,

337
00:35:03,990 --> 00:35:06,018
squealing and calling to each other.

338
00:35:06,060 --> 00:35:06,851
They wriggle,

339
00:35:06,893 --> 00:35:09,168
taking turns to splash through ponds and puddles.

340
00:35:09,210 --> 00:35:11,688
Then as suddenly as they started frolicking,

341
00:35:11,730 --> 00:35:13,653
they quiet down and return to feeding.

342
00:35:15,630 --> 00:35:19,158
I can tell you that we have roughly 100 elk

343
00:35:19,200 --> 00:35:20,778
that have collars on 'em.

344
00:35:20,820 --> 00:35:23,898
Radio transmitting collars that our biologists

345
00:35:23,940 --> 00:35:26,733
are using for various things.

346
00:35:27,910 --> 00:35:29,628
We have some research going on.

347
00:35:29,670 --> 00:35:31,698
We're doing a cast survival study.

348
00:35:31,740 --> 00:35:36,228
So if you see younger animals with a solid green,

349
00:35:36,270 --> 00:35:37,818
looks like an expandable collar,

350
00:35:37,860 --> 00:35:39,798
that's probably what that's for.

351
00:35:39,840 --> 00:35:42,078
And then the adults are gonna have

352
00:35:42,120 --> 00:35:45,048
mainly just this big weather collar on

353
00:35:45,090 --> 00:35:48,858
with a big yellow and black number on the side.

354
00:35:48,900 --> 00:35:53,838
And that number really is just for us to identify

355
00:35:53,880 --> 00:35:55,023
during the elk survey.

356
00:35:55,890 --> 00:35:56,853
In the olden days,

357
00:35:57,810 --> 00:35:59,988
the only way we could identify an animal

358
00:36:00,030 --> 00:36:04,008
during the elk survey was
through a telemetry receiver

359
00:36:04,050 --> 00:36:06,078
to track down what frequency that elk was.

360
00:36:06,120 --> 00:36:10,368
So we've placed these numbering cards

361
00:36:10,410 --> 00:36:12,078
or plaques on the side of their collar,

362
00:36:12,120 --> 00:36:14,388
so we don't need telemetry equipment.

363
00:36:14,430 --> 00:36:15,378
You can just look at the number

364
00:36:15,420 --> 00:36:17,633
and then you can identify which animal it is.

365
00:36:18,810 --> 00:36:21,108
- [Tiffany] Cows and bulls
often occupy different areas

366
00:36:21,150 --> 00:36:22,548
of their winter range.

367
00:36:22,590 --> 00:36:24,648
Bulls may retreat to high snowy meadows

368
00:36:24,690 --> 00:36:27,738
where the food is adequate,
but not especially nutritious.

369
00:36:27,780 --> 00:36:30,738
A group of cows and calves
may inhabit a south facing slope

370
00:36:30,780 --> 00:36:34,278
that is free of snow and
covered with nutritious grass.

371
00:36:34,320 --> 00:36:36,198
This behavior ensures better survival

372
00:36:36,240 --> 00:36:37,593
for the cows and calves.

373
00:36:39,210 --> 00:36:42,558
When the snow gets too deep,
usually more than one foot,

374
00:36:42,600 --> 00:36:45,708
elk may look for shrubs to
eat or move to forested areas

375
00:36:45,750 --> 00:36:48,228
where they can eat twigs and bark.

376
00:36:48,270 --> 00:36:50,598
Thick stands of trees also shelter the elk

377
00:36:50,640 --> 00:36:51,753
from wind and cold.

378
00:36:52,740 --> 00:36:55,368
Winters with heavy snow
aren't necessarily a problem

379
00:36:55,410 --> 00:36:56,201
for elk.

380
00:36:56,243 --> 00:36:58,068
But if the winter is extremely cold,

381
00:36:58,110 --> 00:37:01,338
has exceptionally deep snow, and lasts a long time,

382
00:37:01,380 --> 00:37:02,763
many elk may die.

383
00:37:03,660 --> 00:37:05,988
Those that survive a severe winter danger

384
00:37:06,030 --> 00:37:08,028
because their fat reserves are depleted,

385
00:37:08,070 --> 00:37:10,488
an adult elk may starve in that lean time

386
00:37:10,530 --> 00:37:12,480
before the new growth of spring begins.

387
00:37:16,590 --> 00:37:18,258
Each spring bulls shed their antlers

388
00:37:18,300 --> 00:37:19,908
and the cycle begins again,

389
00:37:19,950 --> 00:37:21,438
growing as much as an inch a day,

390
00:37:21,480 --> 00:37:23,328
even the largest rack of antlers will be back

391
00:37:23,370 --> 00:37:25,893
to its full glory before fall mating season.

392
00:37:27,720 --> 00:37:29,568
(elk bugling)

393
00:37:29,610 --> 00:37:31,548
Yeah, the bulls will claim as many as they can.

394
00:37:31,590 --> 00:37:32,778
It's really kind of funny,

395
00:37:32,820 --> 00:37:35,988
early on in the season before the rut really kicks in,

396
00:37:36,030 --> 00:37:37,848
you'll see a smaller bull

397
00:37:37,890 --> 00:37:39,318
and he'll have a whole group of cows

398
00:37:39,360 --> 00:37:40,848
and he'll feel pretty proud of himself.

399
00:37:40,890 --> 00:37:43,248
And then all of a sudden the cows will start

400
00:37:43,290 --> 00:37:45,678
becoming estrus and the bulls pick that up from,

401
00:37:45,720 --> 00:37:47,898
and all of a sudden they'll come in

402
00:37:47,940 --> 00:37:49,758
and they'll kick these little bulls out,

403
00:37:49,800 --> 00:37:53,298
and they'll claim that herd as theirs.

404
00:37:53,340 --> 00:37:55,000
And it's a constant battle.

405
00:37:55,042 --> 00:37:56,538
There isn't a day that goes by

406
00:37:56,580 --> 00:37:59,178
that these bulls don't have to defend their harem

407
00:37:59,220 --> 00:38:00,011
from other bulls.

408
00:38:00,053 --> 00:38:02,418
And sometimes a bull will have
a harem for two or three days

409
00:38:02,460 --> 00:38:04,158
and a bigger bull come in and knock 'em out.

410
00:38:04,200 --> 00:38:05,268
And that's just the way the game.

411
00:38:05,310 --> 00:38:06,768
But it's a constant battle.

412
00:38:06,810 --> 00:38:11,178
And if you really wanna get a good view of bulls

413
00:38:11,220 --> 00:38:12,678
right after the rut's the best time

414
00:38:12,720 --> 00:38:13,608
'cause they're pretty tired,

415
00:38:13,650 --> 00:38:15,918
and you'll find them just kind of laying around

416
00:38:15,960 --> 00:38:18,408
really trying to gain their
energy and feed for the winter.

417
00:38:18,450 --> 00:38:21,648
But it's kinda comical to see them

418
00:38:21,690 --> 00:38:23,658
at the end of a long breeding season

419
00:38:23,700 --> 00:38:26,463
because they are pretty exhausted and fatigued.

420
00:38:26,505 --> 00:38:28,059
(dramatic music)

421
00:38:28,101 --> 00:38:30,601
(elk bugling)

422
00:38:37,110 --> 00:38:40,428
Depending on the season,
obviously in the warmer weather,

423
00:38:40,470 --> 00:38:43,308
you're not gonna catch elk out
moving around in the daytime.

424
00:38:43,350 --> 00:38:46,398
The best time to see 'em is the last hour of daylight,

425
00:38:46,440 --> 00:38:48,498
the first hour of daylight.

426
00:38:48,540 --> 00:38:51,408
But I would encourage you that sometimes

427
00:38:51,450 --> 00:38:54,948
just hearing them is exciting as seeing them.

428
00:38:54,990 --> 00:38:57,318
And a lot of folks, as soon as it gets dark,

429
00:38:57,360 --> 00:39:01,008
they just drive off the hill and a lot of fun can be had

430
00:39:01,050 --> 00:39:02,658
even if you just drive up here with the viewing area

431
00:39:02,700 --> 00:39:03,738
and you shut your vehicle off,

432
00:39:03,780 --> 00:39:05,808
and just roll the windows down, listen to 'em bugle.

433
00:39:05,850 --> 00:39:08,313
It can be really amazing sound.

434
00:39:09,360 --> 00:39:10,488
But yeah, I mean,

435
00:39:10,530 --> 00:39:14,418
as the winter gets on and as the weather gets colder,

436
00:39:14,460 --> 00:39:17,118
you'll actually see elk out more during the day too,

437
00:39:17,160 --> 00:39:19,278
because they're actually sitting out in the open

438
00:39:19,320 --> 00:39:20,688
and soaking up the heat of the sun

439
00:39:20,730 --> 00:39:22,668
and trying to keep their energy levels up.

440
00:39:22,710 --> 00:39:25,488
But typically, as long as the weather's not cold,

441
00:39:25,530 --> 00:39:27,318
you'll see 'em in the evenings, in the mornings,

442
00:39:27,360 --> 00:39:28,518
and then pretty much during the day

443
00:39:28,560 --> 00:39:31,110
they'll be laying in a cold spot or out of the sun.

444
00:39:34,350 --> 00:39:35,268
[Tiffany] On my visit,

445
00:39:35,310 --> 00:39:36,858
we were traveling the stretch of road

446
00:39:36,900 --> 00:39:38,628
between the two viewing areas

447
00:39:38,670 --> 00:39:40,548
and saw cars parked everywhere.

448
00:39:40,590 --> 00:39:42,018
When we got a little closer,

449
00:39:42,060 --> 00:39:45,438
we saw a huge bull elk
standing in a front eating apples

450
00:39:45,480 --> 00:39:47,598
that had fallen on the ground around the tree,

451
00:39:47,640 --> 00:39:50,298
paying no attention to cameras and the tourists,

452
00:39:50,340 --> 00:39:52,563
the huge elk just kept munching away.

453
00:39:55,530 --> 00:39:58,338
Not any major incidents that I'm aware of.

454
00:39:58,380 --> 00:40:00,948
I hear stories about things that have happened,

455
00:40:00,990 --> 00:40:03,438
but I don't know of any instances

456
00:40:03,480 --> 00:40:07,878
where anybody's been injured or anything like that.

457
00:40:07,920 --> 00:40:10,488
Constantly see people
getting, as far as I'm concerned,

458
00:40:10,530 --> 00:40:11,628
way too close to these animals.

459
00:40:11,670 --> 00:40:12,618
They are wild animals,

460
00:40:12,660 --> 00:40:15,498
but I know up here on Winslow Hill now

461
00:40:15,540 --> 00:40:17,118
this area's never been open to hunting.

462
00:40:17,160 --> 00:40:18,513
This is a closed area.

463
00:40:19,590 --> 00:40:20,868
So these elk are a little different.

464
00:40:20,910 --> 00:40:24,648
They don't really have any natural fear of wildlife

465
00:40:24,690 --> 00:40:26,028
or of humans,

466
00:40:26,070 --> 00:40:30,018
so they probably don't really worry too much about it.

467
00:40:30,060 --> 00:40:31,728
Humans have never posed a threat to 'em,

468
00:40:31,770 --> 00:40:33,948
so they will tolerate.

469
00:40:33,990 --> 00:40:36,198
[Tiffany] Please be cautious when viewing the elk.

470
00:40:36,240 --> 00:40:38,148
While these animals appear to be tame,

471
00:40:38,190 --> 00:40:39,708
they are still wild animals

472
00:40:39,750 --> 00:40:41,988
and natural instincts will take over.

473
00:40:42,030 --> 00:40:44,598
Also, be cautious while driving in the area.

474
00:40:44,640 --> 00:40:47,658
When the speed limit sign says 35 miles per hour,

475
00:40:47,700 --> 00:40:49,428
do take key to this warning.

476
00:40:49,470 --> 00:40:51,708
These animals weigh at least 700 pounds

477
00:40:51,750 --> 00:40:54,138
and hitting something this large with your vehicle

478
00:40:54,180 --> 00:40:56,493
will certainly do some major damage.

479
00:40:57,538 --> 00:41:00,121
(tape rolling)

480
00:41:03,018 --> 00:41:05,601
(upbeat music)

481
00:41:57,390 --> 00:42:00,408
- [Jim] When visiting areas
like Benezette in Pennsylvania,

482
00:42:00,450 --> 00:42:02,178
where elk are a common site,

483
00:42:02,220 --> 00:42:04,578
it's important to follow specific guidelines

484
00:42:04,620 --> 00:42:08,058
to ensure both your safety
and the wellbeing of the elk.

485
00:42:08,100 --> 00:42:11,328
Maintain a safe distance from any elk you see,

486
00:42:11,370 --> 00:42:13,668
at least 100 feet or more.

487
00:42:13,710 --> 00:42:17,403
Elk are large wild animals and can be unpredictable.

488
00:42:19,740 --> 00:42:21,888
Feeding elk is not only unsafe,

489
00:42:21,930 --> 00:42:24,738
but also illegal in Pennsylvania.

490
00:42:24,780 --> 00:42:28,488
It can alter their natural
foraging behavior and diet.

491
00:42:28,530 --> 00:42:31,008
At places like the Elk Country Visitor Center,

492
00:42:31,050 --> 00:42:34,608
you must stay on the gravel
path behind viewing walls

493
00:42:34,650 --> 00:42:36,168
and may not enter the fields

494
00:42:36,210 --> 00:42:39,228
or wooded areas surrounding the center.

495
00:42:39,270 --> 00:42:42,168
Take use from the elk's body language.

496
00:42:42,210 --> 00:42:44,538
If they seem alerted or stressed

497
00:42:44,580 --> 00:42:47,508
back away and give them space.

498
00:42:47,550 --> 00:42:50,178
Do not stop in the road to view elk,

499
00:42:50,220 --> 00:42:52,428
pull off immediately onto the shoulder,

500
00:42:52,470 --> 00:42:54,708
and do not block traffic.

501
00:42:54,750 --> 00:42:58,428
Never attempt to approach, touch, or feed elk.

502
00:42:58,470 --> 00:42:59,538
Leave your pets at home,

503
00:42:59,580 --> 00:43:04,158
especially dogs as they can
stress and disturb the wildlife.

504
00:43:04,200 --> 00:43:05,688
By following these guidelines,

505
00:43:05,730 --> 00:43:08,928
visitors can enjoy observing
these magnificent creatures

506
00:43:08,970 --> 00:43:11,778
without negatively impacting
their natural behavior

507
00:43:11,820 --> 00:43:12,731
and habitat.

508
00:43:12,773 --> 00:43:16,273
(upbeat music continues)

509
00:43:42,180 --> 00:43:44,178
Thank you for joining us on this journey

510
00:43:44,220 --> 00:43:46,266
through Benezette Pennsylvania.

511
00:43:46,308 --> 00:43:48,891
(upbeat music)

512
00:43:57,112 --> 00:44:00,362
(dramatic piano music)

513
00:45:06,268 --> 00:45:10,351
(dramatic piano music continues)

514
00:45:58,423 --> 00:46:02,506
(dramatic piano music continues)

515
00:46:04,508 --> 00:46:07,091
(upbeat music)

516
00:47:10,713 --> 00:47:14,130
(upbeat music continues)

517
00:47:54,626 --> 00:47:58,043
(upbeat music continues)

518
00:48:06,360 --> 00:48:08,943
(upbeat music)

519
00:49:00,520 --> 00:49:03,937
(upbeat music continues)

520
00:49:33,468 --> 00:49:36,885
(upbeat music continues)

521
00:49:57,829 --> 00:50:01,246
(upbeat music continues)

522
00:50:05,355 --> 00:50:08,688
(gentle dramatic music)

523
00:50:49,503 --> 00:50:53,670
(gentle dramatic music continues)