First elk born at the zoo since 2003

Flushing, N.Y. – Sept. 7, 2012– A Roosevelt elk calf was born at the Queens Zoo in July. The male calf, born to mother Olympia, is the first Roosevelt elk calf to be born at the zoo since 2003. Mother and calf live on the zoo’s plains with four other Roosevelt elk. 


Roosevelt elk are the largest sub-species of elk and are one of the largest-bodied animals in North America. They have distinctive coats with a dark brown head and pale brown torso. Roosevelt elk live mostly in the forests of the American Pacific Northwest. Olympic National Park, located in Washington State, is home to a large population of the species.

The Wildlife Conservation Society’s North America Program is at work protecting the landscapes where elk roam and providing them with safe passage. Researchers are working to locate the corridors used by elk and moose in seasonal migration across Highway 20 in Idaho. Animals have been fitted with GPS collars and are being tracked by WCS field staff so that preferred highway crossing points can be identified and dangerous animal/vehicle collisions can be minimized—protecting both humans and wildlife.

The Wildlife Conservation Society saves wildlife and wild places worldwide. We do so through science, global conservation, education and the management of the world’s largest system of urban wildlife parks, led by the flagship Bronx Zoo. Together these activities change attitudes towards nature and help people imagine wildlife and humans living in harmony. WCS is committed to this mission because it is essential to the integrity of life on Earth.

The Wildlife Conservation Society’s Queens Zoo – Open every day of the year. Admission is $8 for adults, $6 for seniors 65 and older, $5 for kids 3-12, free for children under 3. Zoo hours are 10am to 5pm weekdays, and 10am – 5:30pm weekends, April through October, and 10am – 4:30pm daily, November through April. The Queens Zoo is located at 53-51 111th Street in Flushing Meadow’s Corona Park in Queens. For further information, call 718-271-1500 or visit www.queenszoo.com.

Contact: 
Barbara Russo – 718-265-3428; brusso@wcs.org
Max Pulsinelli – 718-2205182; mpulsinelli@wcs.org