Elk on Road
Photo Credit: Ben McConchie

Covid Cabin Fever? – Elky Takes a Swim

Roosevelt elk was spotted on South Pender Island.

Many people are waiting for provincial travel restrictions within regions to end, apparently, some wildlife aren’t waiting

Everyone on Vancouver Island is feeling a bit of COVID cabin fever these days, even wildlife.

People are waiting for provincial travel restrictions within regions to end, apparently, some wildlife can’t wait any longer.

But since the ferries are limiting non-essential travel between health regions some wildlife have decided to swim.

First, a grizzly is spotted on Quadra Island. Evidently after an island-hopping swim from the mainland.

Now, a Roosevelt elk who kids named “Elky” was spotted on South Pender Island.

The Roosevelt elk is native to Vancouver Island. The local population is the purest strain of Roosevelt elk left in North America. The largest of the elk species, a mature bull can weigh in access of 1000 pounds.

Though Roosevelts remain on BC’s list of species of concern, populations on parts of the Island are thriving, causing conflicts between humans and herds.

But there are no conflicts on Pender, where locals were happy to catch the rare sighting on video.

Local’s say it has been years since the last glimpse.

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