Wildlife On Video
Capturing Moments in Canada's Rockies
Wildlife encounters caught on video while out hiking and sightseeing in Canada's beautiful Rocky Mountains.
Grizzly Bear
(Ursus arctos)
Grizzly Bears range in small numbers in Alaska and western Canada as well as eastern Siberia and Hokkaido, and from western Europe and Palestine to the Himalayan region, and possibly the Atlas Mountains of northwest Africa.
Wildlife Icons In Canada's Rocky Mountains
The Canadian Rocky Mountains boast some of the best Wildlife Viewing in the World. The Rocky Mountains are home to an exciting array of mammals and birds. Most commonly seen are Elk, Bighorn Sheep and Deer. The more elusive Bear, Mountain Goats, Wolves and Moose can be found in Canada's Rockies more easily at specific times of the year. Even more rare sightings of Mountain Lion, Lynx and Wolverine are experienced typically by chance of those who spend a significant amount of time exploring Canada's Outdoors.
Wildlife On Video ChannelMoose Bulls, Cows and Calves Become Social as they Enter their Rutting Season
Moose (Alces Alces) are generally solitary animals, but they become more social during the rutting season, which is the mating season. The rut typically occurs in the fall, although the timing can vary depending on the moose population and geographical location. During the rut, male moose, known as bulls, become more active and vocal as they compete for mates. Moose may engage in various social behaviors to establish dominance and attract females. Bulls produce distinctive calls during the rut to communicate with females and signal their presence to competing males. The most well-known vocalization is the deep, guttural grunting sound, which is often described as a "bellows" or "moose call." Bulls may use scent marking to establish their territory and attract females. They may urinate on themselves, rub their antlers on trees, and create wallows in the ground. These scent markings can convey information about the bull's size, health, and reproductive readiness. Bulls actively seek out receptive females during the rut. Multiple moose.. both males and females, may gather in common areas where mating activity is concentrated. These areas are often referred to as "rutting grounds."
Largest Bighorn Boss Courts Ewe During the Rut
Largest Bighorn Boss Travels 40km to Court more Ewes During the Bighorn Sheep Rut. During this time, male bighorn sheep engage in various behaviors to establish dominance and compete for access to females, known as ewes. Dominant rams actively pursue ewes during the rut. They will try to gather a group of females, called a harem, and guard them from other males. Ewes may resist initially, and the pursuit can involve chasing and herding behaviors. Once a ram successfully establishes dominance and attracts a group of ewes, mating rituals take place. Bighorn Rams may engage in courtship displays, including lowering their heads, sniffing the females, and nuzzling them to encourage mating. The ultimate goal for the rams during the rut is to mate with as many ewes as possible to ensure reproductive success. The strongest and most dominant rams typically have better access to females and, therefore, a higher chance of passing on their genes. The Bighorn Sheep Rut is a crucial period as it plays a vital role in the continuation of the Bighorn species. This natural behavior shows the adaptations and strategies that have evolved to ensure successful Bighorn Sheep reproduction in challenging environments.
Bighorn Sheep Rams Get Energized as Rut Season Chemistry Changes
Bighorn Sheep Rams Get Energized as Rut Season Chemistry Changes. As Ewes come into Estrus, Bighorn Rams heighten their energy expenditure in an effort to grow their species with the best genetics. Here is a glimpse of several Bighorn Sheep locations as the Rutting season kicks up a notch.
Biggest Bull Elk Herding and Courting During the Rut
The rutting season, also known as the mating season, is a fascinating time for elk, and the herd bull plays a crucial role in this period. This was the Largest Bull Elk we witnessed this rutting season. The herd bull's main objective during the rut is to gather and protect a group of females (known as a harem) for mating. He will actively seek out receptive cows and try to keep them close to prevent other bulls from mating with them. Bulls can become highly aggressive during the rut as they compete for mates. Bulls also use scent-marking to establish their presence and dominance. They may urinate on themselves, wallow in mud, and rub their antlers on trees to leave scent markings that communicate their readiness to mate. Once a bull successfully gathers a harem, he will mate with the receptive females over a period of several weeks. The mating rituals involve a combination of vocalizations, displays, and actual mating encounters.
Huge Bighorn Rams Start Battling as the Sheep Rut Begins
The Largest Bighorn Sheep in the World reside in our location, here in Canada's Rockies. Bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis) engage in headbutting behavior, particularly during the rutting season, which is the mating season. The rutting season typically occurs in the fall, and it's a time when male bighorn sheep, known as rams, compete for dominance and access to females.
Largest Bighorn Ram Boss Courts Ewe During the Rutting Season.
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Wildlife on Video - A Magnificent Elk Bull being very active during the Rut in the Canadian Rockies. This Elk rut video is part 2 of 2 of this Bull and his harem as aggression and herding instincts are very high.
Wildlife on Video - Bighorn Rams Fighting for Mating rights During the Bighorn Sheep Rut. The larger Bighorns with superior genetics are able to battle like this for quite a long time during the bighorn sheep mating season. Several larger Rams are seen here battling for the right to mate on this day.
Wildlife on Video - Bighorn headbutting at the height of the Bighorn Sheep Rut or Mating Season. Lots of Bighorn Sheep Ram Rut fighting was witnessed this year and this is some of the Best Bighorn Ram Headbutt battles we have ever witnessed.
Wildlife on Video - The Elk Rut is just a couple months away. Elk Bulls are putting on a lot of weight right now as their testosterone increases and they have access to much more nutritious food. Bugles, Battles and Breeding will be taking over this Beautiful area as Bulls fight to claim or hold their territories' throne.
Wildlife on Video - Elk Bull Fights are numerous during the Rut in Canada's Rockies, but this one was especially striking. Here is a close look at the Largest Elk Bull in this area.. first, a couple clips over the last month, before today's marathon fight with this younger rival. The younger rival has not been stressed near as much during the height of the rutting season, and clearly had the stamina to outlast one of this areas most dominant bulls today. The Bull that conceded defeat today has been the most dominant elk bull in this area now for years. This well known King has had to battle and run off rival bulls on almost a daily basis over the last month and a half, of which shows athleticism and genetics that are extremely rare. We suspect he decided it was more important to preserve his energy as very few cows remain in estrus. He did sustain some injuries here, but will likely be back to fight another day.
Wildlife on Video - We were lucky to witness this huge bull courting a receptive cow during the Moose Rut. The active peak of rutting season for moose is generally the first two weeks of October. Farther North in the hemisphere is earlier as South is a bit later. Moose bulls may court cows for several days during their mating season. The largest and heaviest of the Deer family can often be seen in groups during this time, with both Bulls and Cows potentially competing for mates. Moose Bulls will chase off or even fight rivals for mating rights, while cows that occupy the same area may also chase each other away from a favorite bull moose. You can hear some vocalizations between the bull and cow along with seeing some very rare behavior in these gentle giants.
- Huge Elk Bulls Epic Fight Over the Toughest Elk Rut Territory
- Huge Elk Bull Runs off Competition for the Herd in the beginning of Rut
- Magnificent Elk Bull Now Rules the Toughest Elk Rut Territory
- Elk Bull Boss Stops Traffic and Bugles During the Rut
- New Elk Bull Boss Moves the Old Boss Across the River
- The New Sheriff in Town - Huge Elk Bull Now Ruling the Elk Rut's Toughest Territory
- Magnificent Elk Bull Bugles from the Island During a Beautiful Evening of the Rut
- Big Elk Bulls Square off Bugling During the Beginning of the Rut
New Wildlife Encounters
Wildlife
on Video
Viewing Wildlife in their natural habitat can be very exhilarating. Let's keep the chance of wildlife encounters existent for future generations.
Wildlife on VideoGrizzly
Families
Fiercely protective, Grizzly mothers with cubs often seek out higher elevations to avoid confrontation.
Grizzly Mothers and Cubs