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The elk cow’s gestation period was nearly 8 months; this year elk calf births were noted among forestmen in the beginning of May. For the younger elk cows it is common to bear only one calf. The newly-born calves weigh around 10 kilos, some more, some less. In the first month in life their weight is doubled and after that the increase is about one kilo per day. They try plant food already in their first days, but the elk cow sucks her calf or calves until late autumn.

 

The elk cow with her reddish-haired calf move by themselves during summer, mostly in boggy areas, lakeside meadows or river banks and forest plantations. Food is grass, leaves from trees and as a special delicacy, aquatic plants

 

Mosquitoes are a plague for elks in calm weather. Time will show how it will be with horseflies this year. Not much good is to be expected:  big horseflies are already around, the evil small grey ones still to come ...