Altai Elk Cervus canadensis sibiricus, also known as Altai Wapiti and (if classified as C. elaphus sibirica) Siberian Red Deer, ssp. of Elk (Wapiti), female, White Birch Forest Scenic Area (48.088768, 86.347760), Xinjiang, elev. 530 m (1,750 ft.), mid-May. Altai Elk inhabits Xinjiang, southern Siberia, and northwest Mongolia. Both sexes have conspicuous reddish yellow rump patch. This cow is molting, shedding her light brown winter pelage for her amber summer coat. (Craig Brelsford)Altai Elk, cows, White Birch Forest Scenic Area (48.088768, 86.347760), Xinjiang, mid-May. Throughout the spring and into summer, these cows will live in small herds with other females and their young. By late summer, rut season, they will likely form part of a stag’s harem. (Craig Brelsford)Altai Elk, cows grazing along Kaba River (48.083285, 86.346337) at White Birch Forest Scenic Area, Xinjiang, elev. 520 m (1,720 ft.), mid-May. (Craig Brelsford)
