What are the natural predators of elks?

Mountain lions, wolves and bears prey on elk at various times of the year and practice hunting methods uniquely suited to each predator’s abilities. Surprisingly, a mature elk, even a large antlered bull, has very little defense against an attack from an animal as small as a hundred pound mountain lion. read more

Mountain lions and grizzly bears. In the 1800s a naturalist claimed to see a bear swat an Elk so hard, it's head went flying off. No one believed him. Since then several others have reported seeing this unusual phenomena. read more

Gray wolves and mountain lions, both of which have been extirpated from the Great Smoky Mountains, are successful predators of elk elsewhere. Elk are vegetarian and eat grasses, forbs, and acorns, as well as the bark, leaves, and buds from shrubs and trees. read more