Watch One Grizzly Bear Charge 50+ Elk in Yellowstone

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Written by Angie Menjivar

Updated: November 10, 2023

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Grizzly bear
© Scott E Read/Shutterstock.com

Yellowstone National Park is the world’s first national park. Established in 1872, it encompasses 2.2 million acres of an intact ecosystem that attracts visitors from all around the globe. In Yellowstone, you encounter active geysers, geologic wonders, and plenty of wildlife.

Yellowstone is home to several different carnivores, including black bears and grizzly bears. Grizzlies are currently listed as a threatened species and as of 2017, an estimated 728 grizzlies reside in Yellowstone.

These bears are massive creatures, with the males weighing anywhere between 200 and 700 pounds and the females weighing between 200 and 400 pounds. They can run up to 40 miles per hour, and their food sources include elk calves. They’re surprisingly agile, able to run up and down hills, swim, and even climb trees.

“Oh, here he comes!” you can hear a woman say in the background as the cameraman captures footage of a grizzly barreling down a hill toward a large group of elk. It takes a moment for the elk to spot it but when they do, they keep moving.

This video was taken in Hayden Valley, Yellowstone National Park.

The onlookers talk among themselves and watch as the bear makes it down the hill and then up the next hill toward the elk. When they spot it getting closer, they run off in unison, with some elk calves protected within the group.

The next scene shows the grizzly has made it up the hill—the speed with which it runs is startling. It keeps making its way down the hill, taking some moments to pause and stalk before charging again.

The next scene captures a grizzly scaling up a mountainside. It’s unclear if it’s the same one that was charging toward the elk earlier. It doesn’t appear to be particularly interested in a specific target as it makes its way up. It pauses and looks around, likely looking for prey.

The video cuts to a final scene where you can watch a group of elk atop a mountain running off. Fortunately for them, they’ve made it through another day.

The grizzly’s speed when charging the elk is undeniably disturbing. The visitors to Yellowstone were at a safe distance to be able to take in this incredible wildlife scene but the mere thought of a bear running toward you at that speed would make anyone reconsider a visit to grizzly territory.

Do Grizzly Bears Often Chase Elk?

Grizzly bear

Grizzlies, are omnivores and are rather fond of carnivorous fare including elk calves

©Scott E Read/Shutterstock.com

Yes! Grizzly bears, in particular, have gained a reputation for being skilled predators, particularly when it comes to hunting moose and elk calves.

They exhibit their hunting prowess during the period from birth until approximately two months of age for these young animals. This hunting behavior is typically observed during the spring season or during the rut season.

There are several reasons a grizzly might chase a group of elk out of its range. Females protecting their young are likely to want the elk out of the vicinity of their cubs. Grizzly bears also eat Elk calves and this bear was likely hoping to be able to separate one of the calves from the rest of the herd. Elk are fast and wary though, and not easy to sneak up on. It looks like this bear went away hungry on this day. Let’s hope all the tourist kept their distance!

Grizzly Bear vs. Kodiak–Do Kodiak Bears chase elk?

kodiak vs grizzly

Kodiak bears are capable of reaching 35 mph and would not turn down a meal of fresh elk

©iStock.com/Jess Bray

Kodiak bears display an omnivorous diet, consuming a variety of foods to meet their nutritional needs. During the spring and early summer, they graze on grasses and forbs, while also scavenging carrion from winter-killed animals like deer and elk.

Additionally, Kodiak bears include a wide range of plants, seaweeds, berries, nuts, roots, tubers, and invertebrates in their diet.

Grizzly bears are omnivorous creatures, meaning they have a varied diet. Their preferred plant foods consist of fleshy roots, fruits, berries, grasses, and forbs.

However, when grizzly bears are in pursuit of prey, their food sources can expand to include fish, particularly salmon, as well as rodents such as ground squirrels. Additionally, grizzly bears will consume carrion and target larger hoofed animals like moose, elk, caribou, and deer.

Kodiak bears are a subspecies of the Grizzly Bear and are found only on the Kodiak islands. Although they are said to be the largest land carnivores – meat eaters, they are omnivores and actually prefer to eat grasses, plants, and berries.


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About the Author

Angie Menjivar is a writer at A-Z-Animals primarily covering pets, wildlife, and the human spirit. She has 14 years of experience, holds a Bachelor's degree in psychology, and continues her studies into human behavior, working as a copywriter in the mental health space. She resides in North Carolina, where she's fallen in love with thunderstorms and uses them as an excuse to get extra cuddles from her three cats.

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