elk
Cervus elaphus
The red deer is one of the largest deer species. A male red deer is called a stag or hart, and a female is called a hind.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_deer
Taxonomy & Classification
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Mammalia
Order
Artiodactyla
Family
Cervidae
Genus
Cervus
elk belongs to the family Cervidae, order Artiodactyla, within the Mammalia class.
Species Profile
The red deer is one of the largest deer species. A male red deer is called a stag or hart, and a female is called a hind. The red deer inhabits most of Europe, the Caucasus Mountains region, Anatolia, Iran, and parts of Western Asia. It also inhabits the Atlas Mountains of Northern Africa, being the only living species of deer to inhabit Africa. Red deer have been introduced to other areas, including Australia, New Zealand, the United States, Canada, Peru, Uruguay, Chile and Argentina. In many parts of the world, the meat (venison) from red deer is used as a food source.
Elk populations face significant pressure from habitat loss and fragmentation due to agricultural expansion, urban development, and infrastructure projects that disrupt migration corridors. Hunting pressure, disease transmission from livestock, and climate change impacts on food availability and seasonal patterns further threaten population stability across their range.
Key Facts
Habitat & Distribution
Elk inhabit temperate and boreal forests, grasslands, alpine meadows, and woodland edges across mountainous and northern regions. They utilize seasonal ranges from valley bottoms to high elevation summer pastures, requiring large territories with access to both forested cover and open grazing areas.
Threats
Disruption of migration corridors
Habitat loss and fragmentation
Climate change impacts on food resources
Disease transmission from domestic livestock
Hunting pressure and poaching
National vs Global Threat Status
How this species is assessed at the national level compared to its IUCN global status (VU).
| Country | National Status | Global Status | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| EU | LCLeast Concern | VUVulnerable | Lower local risk |
| EU | LCLeast Concern | VUVulnerable | Lower local risk |
National Red List data sourced from the National Red List Project (nationalredlist.org, ZSL) and country-specific Red List authorities.
Community Sightings
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Sources & Attribution
How to Cite
IUCN: IUCN (2025). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2025-1. Available at: https://www.iucnredlist.org. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2025-1.RLTS
GBIF: GBIF.org (2025). GBIF Home Page. Available at: https://www.gbif.org
National Red Lists: ZSL (2025). National Red List. Zoological Society of London. Available at: https://www.nationalredlist.org
This page: SpeciesRadar (2025). elk (Cervus elaphus). SpeciesRadar: Intelligence for Earth's Biodiversity. Available at: https://speciesradar.org/species/elk