Elk as Winter-Spring Food for Carnivores in Northern Yellowstone National Park

The consumption of 759 elk carcasses by the predator-scavenger fauna on the northern winter range of Yellowstone National Park was monitored during winter-spring of 1974-5 and 1975-6. About 70% of 503 carcasses were entirely eaten in 1974-5, 22% partially eaten, and 8% uneaten. Equivalent percentages for 256 carcasses in 1975-6 were 67, 16 and 17%. This represented an observed consumption of about 35 000 kg (80% of that available) in 1974-5 and about 19 000 kg (75%) in 1975-6. Actual consumption was much greater. Elk was a major food for the park's predator-scavenger fauna and may be especially important during periodic severe winters.