The Elk (Cervus canadensis), also known as the Wapiti, is a large Asian-North American ungulate. It is an adoptable animal in Zoo Tycoon: The Board Game.
Description[]
With a shoulder height of 1.5m (4ft 11in) and males weighing up to 497kg (1026lbs), the elk is the second largest species of deer with only the Moose, itself called an "Elk" in Eurasian countries, being larger. There are several subspecies across North America and central/eastern regions of Asia, and each subspecies can vary in coloration and antler size based on habitats, but all possess distinct light-colored patches on their rumps. It is this patch that gives the elk its alternate name "Wapiti", which means "White Rump".
Native to forest regions across its range, the elk is one of the most social species of deer, often gathering in herds of up to 500 individuals during summer months. Males and females typically live separately, and meet only during the breeding season, where males use their large antlers to display to females and fend off rivals. Although they may browse like other deer, elk primarily feed on grass. Although hunted as a game species, the elk is not considered threatened and is revered by some cultures, playing a spiritual role in their societies.
Zoo Tycoon: The Board Game[]
The Elk is an adoptable animal in Zoo Tycoon: The Board Game. It is a Level 1 "Main" Species animal in the Ungulate family and is a Montane Forest animal.
As a Level 1 animal, the elk can be adopted at any time and has no special requirements. It is an extremely social animal, requiring a minimum of three individuals, but nine or more are required for it to be completely satisfied. It can be exhibited in a mixed herd with only a single male, or in an all-male bachelor group. The elk tolerates co-species and can be mixed with the Eurasian Otter, Striped Skunk, Tundra Swan and West Caucasian Tur.
Trivia[]
- The Elk is one of 3 animals on the Ungulate Disease card, the other two being the Black rhinoceros, and Blue wildebeest.
- The Elk is also featured on the Event Card, Elk Brothers.
- The Elk is one of only six sexually dimorphic animals in the game.
- The stretch goal for the female elk was revealed on November 3, 2022 for 235,000 CHF. The goal was reached 11 days later on November 14, 2022.
- The elk was given the secondary name, Wapiti during the Kickstarter campaign after a user pointed it out to make it less confusing to British players, who sometimes call moose elk, and out of respect for Native Peoples[1]. Although Wapiti is prioritized on the animal cards, elk still features more frequently in the game itself, being present on the aforementioned event card.