Photographer: Josh DeLeenheer

Roosevelt elk were nearly exterminated from coastal British Columbia due to overhunting and poaching. Fortunately, their populations are slowly recovering, numbering about 5400-5600, of which 4200 live on Vancouver Island. Despite the low numbers the government of B.C. continues to issue hunting permits, which adds pressure in addition to the natural predation that occurs. Poaching also continues to threaten the elk populations as unethical hunters kill the animals, sometimes leaving the unharvested carcas to rot.

Wanting to highlight the challenges faced by the Roosevelt elk in the province I have made many trips to locate and photograph them. In posting images of them, I include as much information as possible to inform people of their circumstances and encourage others to report poaching when encountered. This beautiful bull elk was a member of a small herd of males. It regarded me cautiously but continued to forage as I photographed it. A primary objective in all my photography is not to disturb wildlife or cause them stress. I was grateful to have the opportunity to observe it without disruption.