March 2025: What Makes the Bonanza Area Elk-cellent for Elk?!
“Pushed completely from British Columbia during the last glacial advance, the adaptable Elk re-populated both the wet coast and dry interior after the ice melted.”
Tlawals (roosevelt elk) hold deep cultural, ecological, and historical significance for ‘Namgis. As one of largest members of the deer family, they have shown us their resilience since arriving on Vancouver Island after the last glaciation. Thriving in a variety of habits, from dense old-growth rainforests in Vancouver Island to grassy interior valleys, Tlawals are drawn to areas where winter snow stays shallow, allowing for year-round foraging.
Despite their adaptability and growing populations, members have identified Tlawals as one of their top three species of concern. For generations, Tlawals have and continue to provide sustenance (food, social, and ceremonial) to ‘Namgis. Additionally, they are vital to the local ecosystem, recovering biodiversity as prey for predators and shaping plant growth through grazing.
In recent years, ‘Namgis has witnessed a decrease in Tlawals population in the Bonanza area, which serves as an important seasonal range for calf protection and rearing. To support the future health of Tlawals population and their habitat, the T’łuładi technical team will be working to ensure their population can thrive.
Tlawals facts:
- Population: Roughly 3,000-3,500 on Vancouver Island
- Weight: Largest and heaviest elk in North America, with the ability to weigh over 1,000 lbs
- Features: Brownish coat with a dark mane and white rump patch, and large forked antlers (in males). Both males and females have "elk tusks" (rounded upper canine teeth)!
- Age: Ability to live 15+ years in the wild
- Food: Diet consists of sedges, grasses, ferns, browse from willows, elderberries, cedar, and hemlock
- Habitat: Found in rainforests, grassy valleys, riparian zones, and subalpine meadows.
Have more questions about Tlwalas or the T’łuładi project? Email Brian Svanvik at Brian.Svanvik@namgis.bc.ca in the Natural Resources Department.
