Grizzly Kills Bull Elk In the Yellowstone River, Hayden Valley, Sept.18, 2020

Yellowstone Grizzly 791 charges Elk. At first light this morning I pulled over noting a Bull Elk with a few cows in the upper right of the meadow depicted in the opening photograph. I was startled moments later by a Bull Elk running into the Yellowstone River pursued by a large Grizzly Bear. The Grizzly was successful in taking down the Bull Elk after only a few minutes, but it worked for around a half an hour to redirect it to the far side of the river and secure it on the east bank, about one- hundred yards downstream from the north end of Hayden Valley.
From my Canon Rebel T2i, my decade old indestructible camera with its EFS 55-250mm lens.

[@curthowell495]

Bears are highly opportunistic hunters which can be seen in this video the elk is already mortally wounded likely from the other bull you can hear bugling in the background. It would be exceedingly rare for a grizzly to take down a healthy bull elk of this size. If you notice at the start of the video every time it steps on its back left leg there is a severe limp. Its tibia was snapped. You can also see this wound at exactly the 3:00 min mark. It also had a massive puncture wound in it's side behind the right flank likely in the vitals. Also likely a result of an antler not a tooth. Both of these injuries are very clearly seen on the numerous pics seen on IG including mine. Excellent capture of the natural world. The elk died much sooner than it would have suffering through days of injury and the bear is much more likely to end up in the den prepared for the cold harsh YNP winter.

[@nathanadams6648]

So It worked out well in the end for everyone, Inluding the half a million people that saw the video that are glad they dont live in nature like that.

[@dillpicklewes50]

Any links to IG? I wanna see pics of this.

[@bejudson1384]

I appreciate your great insight and sharing details my camera wasn't equipped to clearly capture. Once on shore, it was too far away for me, so mostly I sat and watched as it dug out it's little storage kiln. Thank you!!

[@rg170]

I was wondering. It seemed to me the kill was unusually quick.

[@curthowell495]

@@bejudson1384 Great capture. We arrived on scene just after it got to shore. Pretty remarkable stuff. Especially given how poor the light was at that time.

[@taylorreed8791]

I’m here because Nature Is Metal..

[@michaelgalindo4714]

Same

[@joshuatshiminyi3143]

Same

[@nomaddogg8441]

Same

[@isaiahhall6863]

Same

[@lamarb9742]

Same lol

[@altaris2000]

Great video! No cheesy music. No humans making stupid comments or stupid noises in the background. Just nature and nature sounds.

[@LordStanley94]

100% right. People love to hear themselves talk. Too much noise.

[@blaineg84]

Like highway traffic, ahhh nature

[@altaris2000]

@@blaineg84 yeah, that was at the end, but it was so minimal that I will allow it lol.

[@bejudson1384]

Thanks.

[@stefwanjonswing3445]

Nature Is Metal sent me. And I'm glad they did. Cheers mate, great work.

[@bejudson1384]

Awesome, thank you!

[@Nyamema210]

The power a grizzly has to trudge through that water and actually catch up to the elk is amazing. Only to then weigh it down and pull it out of the water while swimming. God damn.

[@stevehove2648]

It knew yhe elk was weakened and thats why it really went for it. It knew dinner was a near certainty. Great video!

[@bejudson1384]

I think the bear was considering pulling it up to the roadside of the river, he was almost there. Looked up and around, changed direction and it took about 25 minutes for the grizzly to cross the current and hoist the elk onto the opposite shore downstream about 300 yards. His reversal move kept the Rangers from having to close the road and possibly relocate the elk away from visitor road pullouts.

[@Naijakingbusari]

I’m here because nature is metal from IG sent me!!!

[@deltapromasterlauj4848]

Thanks for not commentating or saying anything and just giving us extreme raw footage!!!!!

[@bejudson1384]

You are welcome! It didn't me tinkering with it.

[@dstuartbrig]

To the person who recorded this phenomenal video, THANK YOU for remaining quiet and being in the moment. I was bracing myself for a shrilly “.OH MY GOD! Oh. My. GOD!”

[@scottwins2]

He or she did leave their engine on though, a tour guide probably

[@bejudson1384]

HI, You are welcome and only additional vehicles pulling in to the pullout on the river had engines running, as the bear and elk in the water got their attention too. And unless off road hiking, there is usually a hum of traffic noises in the Park. Thanks for the nice comment.

[@Brickbuster-wj2co]

this one elk carcass has to be one of the most well documented kills ever. I've seen so many photographs and videos of this exact kill it's actually amazing. Great video also by the way, beautiful videography!

[@bejudson1384]

It's rare to view a bear's intent through its sustenance close up. It was an extraordinary event that unfolded for visitors of YNP and beyond. Thanks for watching and for the nice comment!

[@daveruaneCO]

Ranger talking on loudspeaker to motorists parking in the middle of the road “Texas, I’m talking to you” Classic...

[@wolverine2221]

Dave Ruane lol, that was me. I wasn’t trying to park, I was trying not to run people over, and was letting a couple of them cross the road. That Ranger was on it- lol.

[@bejudson1384]

Ever so much!

[@cameronhadden1393]

@@wolverine2221 ~ You should've yelled back to him, "Don't mess with Texas!!"

[@ffhd1clt]

I just left Yellowstone today, and seeing that grizzly with its kill was the highlight of my trip. I drove by 3 times before I noticed the elk antlers and realized it had a kill. I stopped and asked a ranger if the grizzly had killed it or found it, and he said “killed it.” I asked if he had witnessed it, and he said “no, but I saw it in KZbin.” Pretty cool...Thanks for the video.

[@britneymatthews1101]

Where is the location in hayden valley?

[@bejudson1384]

North end of Hayden Valley as the road and river enter the trees and hills.

[@a.healthbeauty9173]

Awesome!👌

[@goodshipkaraboudjan]

That was a fairly quick way for the elk to go considering. That point where it stopped to fight I thought was going to end badly for the bear but the sheer power of it was astonishing. Cheers for the great footage and NIM for sharing it.

[@bejudson1384]

Many thanks, the bull elk went into the water with a broken back leg, likely after an injury fighting another elk during rut, the September breeding season. Rough life.

[@ffhd1clt]

I was there for this. It made my trip to Yellowstone. The bear stayed on this kill for a full week!

[@briangothard4139]

People don't "like" the video are probably those who don't really get out in nature and the mountains. It's not always pretty and bears aren't cuddly, get over it and get in the real world folks!

[@russelldemello8735]

Yea, it's just nature but it's still sadistic and creepy to like it.

[@surajwahengbam9600]

@@russelldemello8735 so all zoologists/biologists are sadistic psychopaths? Nature is brutal, sadistic and beautiful all at the same time. We just gotta learn to appreciate both sides of it

[@bejudson1384]

Interesting for most viewers, I think.

[@BAMA-2019]

@@russelldemello8735 man up son

[@RonSpomerOutdoors]

This bull has a broken rear left leg. You can see it in the still photo at 0:05 sec. You can see his limp in the water at every other step. I doubt many grizzlies routinely kill healthy, mature bull elk. But they'll jump on a weak, compromised one every time. If the wolves don't get there first. Nature isn't sometimes brutal. She's routinely brutal.

[@fireplusbirdfilms6517]

Good eye. I didn't catch that until I saw your comment. Wonder if he got stabbed in the leg by another bull while battling for his harem.

[@bojanmamula8703]

good job...I was wandering why the hell is he moving so slow in the water?

[@JohnT-yc9hr]

Ya I noticed that right away, that's why the bear was after it, survival of the fittest.

[@bejudson1384]

A woman saw wolves just down river about that time. Predators paying attention. What senses of smell they have!

[@rexfordpauley8924]

Awesome video! Nature is metal sent me ❤️

[@chuckfinley6747]

All the people on here saying that the videographer should have scared the bear off really need to watch some Nature documentaries. Bears are omnivores and eat meat! Wolves eat meat! Vultures eat meat! This is how nature works. None of that elk will go to waste. What can’t be eaten will decompose and feed the plants that other elk will eat.

[@gonzalez32307]

Some people haven't seen lion King . "Circle of life"

[@bejudson1384]

Good point, thanks.

[@nathanadams6648]

That's offensive! REEEEE

[@ffhd1clt]

He couldn’t have scared him off anyway. The video was taken from the other side of the river, over 100 yards away. I know because I was there.

[@fly_speck_cafe]

The ones who think bears ought to be killed for being cruel are just as anthropomorphic, i. e., ignorant, as the ones who think bears are all cute and cuddly

[@chancegivens9390]

Agreed. Bears do what they must do to survive.

[@ZC.Andrew]

Cute, yes. Cuddly? No.....

[@HundWasser]

Bears or other predators don't do anything to be 'cruel' they only do what they must to survive, it's unfortunate that people force human morality on animals when we are far more cruel than anything in nature.

[@shaunangell2265]

​@@Shaz-gq7pvidiotic comment

[@ohgeelefty]

Nature is Metal sent me. Who else? 🤘🏼

[@venom3936]

Same

[@tankytyrrell4064]

Yup me too

[@ntnttntn3273]

Team Bear 791 ✊

[@adldesigner]

791 🔥

[@villeda7534]

Ya 😆

[@henrywashington3732]

That bear was like I'm having me some rotisserie-style elk tonight, the way he spinning him in the water😁

[@bejudson1384]

Over enough time to add a bit of fishy seasoning as well:) Thanks for watching

[@MattRShort]

LOL, I love how the Ranger calls out a Texan and tells him to keep moving in his vehicle!!! Lol, good work Ranger! Keep em movin!

[@bejudson1384]

A country boy getting right to the point, Men of few words!

[@ra3975]

I saw this. The bear is still napping by the carcass today. The elk was laying halfway in the river. That bear looks very fat and happy lying in the sun .

[@bejudson1384]

I bet he is happy! Thanks for sharing. I will do a lot of wondering this week.

[@kylieglass3611]

Husband and I drove up on this and were hoping someone would post the back story. Incredible.

[@arisyn]

Hello Kylie

[@bejudson1384]

I am glad you are there! It's a great trip.

[@matrosickles9659]

Nature is metal sent me over!

[@theheights1769]

SENT BY NATURE IS METAL

[@jammies6228]

Nature is metal sent me here

[@taylorreed8791]

Same

[@jbdub08]

This elk was injured from a fight with another bull. The original story stated he had a deep puncture wound on one of his rear legs. Normally, grizz leave big males like this alone; especially when they're in the rut like that. Had the elk stayed on land, he might have still been able to fight the bear off but that's nature for ya.

[@bejudson1384]

An hour after the elk was on shore a photographer was showing some of us who were there, a puncture wound in the elk's side, just behind the left front leg.

[@fellinloveinmaui]

That Bear was stalking the Elk most likely because of the weakness.

[@jbdub08]

@@bejudson1384 Ah, thanks for the correct info! Pretty rare that you end up in the right place at the right time to capture something like this! Props

[@jbdub08]

@Iden Campbell McCollum Oh, I wasn't the photographer. I ended up here after I saw read a story about it on google news.

[@IdenCampbellMcCollum]

@@jbdub08 thanks.

[@OneMeanArtist]

RIP Mr Elk. That elk appeared to have a broken leg - a slow, agonizing and certain death regardless of the bear, but the bear did him a service: a quick death by drowning and in return the bear gets to eat. It's the circle of life in all its grit and glory.

[@bejudson1384]

Yes it did have a broken leg. Possibly in a fight with another bull during rut. The opening photo shows a bull in the upper meadow with cow elk that may have interacted with the injured bull before I arrived.

[@cemoulton1700]

Hahaha..."I'm talking to you Texas"...probably not the first time a ranger has had to yell that over a megaphone.

[@bejudson1384]

I wonder how many times in a day, don't you?

[@coltendixon1782]

If taxans aren't doing half the speed limit already they are completely stopped on the road

[@jefesalsero]

Park Rangers... so annoying!

[@makeamericagreatagain7314]

TEXAS BE HAVING HIS RIFLE OUT..... TEXAS 👍🇺🇸♥️

[@springtree2184]

Nature is metal brought me here

[@BrendaHedgren]

I was there the day after this happen.... The bear was still there guarding the kill. The elk was injured and could get across with his herd. The elk was 1200lbs and the grizzly weighed around 600lbs. Amazing to see these animals in action. And yet people try to get selfies with them.

[@bejudson1384]

It was an extraordinary experience in Yellowstone. I am glad you were in the park for the view of grizzly 791. Special!

[@Billy-rq9hs]

Nature is Metal sent me…

[@larrydegraw8376]

You can see the bull elk has a broken left rear leg which happened before he got to the river. Without this the bear would not have taken it down in the river.Great footage that is raw nature.

[@bejudson1384]

Yes, thanks for sharing details. I missed his injury until I uploaded video and the photo.

[@user-ym2kb1cp5e]

I didn't notice that but it's obvious that elk was moving slower then shit. They should be able to move much faster through the water.

[@Bewgert]

Nature truly is metal. My mans sent me

[@matt_indy]

Nature is metal sent us

[@markpayton6854]

Wow! Incredibly lucky to have been here and recording when you did. Amazing footage! Difficult to watch but an incredible moment captured on video. 👍👍

[@bejudson1384]

Yes it was! Thanks for watching.

[@YeahBoy1019]

Elk doesn’t know how merciful his water death was, compared to the horror of being torn apart from the ass end up on dry land

[@kanaisolomon7642]

Metal sent me and did not disappoint ❤️❗️❗️

[@yugen]

Went to post it there, saw it only had 30 upvotes :O

[@bejudson1384]

Thanks.

[@j-dub4590]

“Hey Jamie, see if you can find that video of the grizzly attacking an elk”

[@bejudson1384]

LOL Thanks for finding!

[@GinjaNinja77]

4:20 Park ranger is like “Please keep traffic rollin’” Me: WTF did I come to Yellowstone for?

[@j.jarvis7460]

Agreed. So silly

[@rodpierce8468]

Underrated comment

[@davidbednarchik9277]

Park Rangers are often Jerks. I've seen them speeding to work and running animals over then refusing to help a suffering animal. Whose the beast wearing armor ?

[@davidbednarchik9277]

Parks are not for watching weaker animals get murdered. Yellowstone sucks for repopulating wolfs and Grizzlies.

[@Alex-js5lg]

Funny, but by this point, the area was probably congested to the point of being impassable for traffic. Hard to say without seeing how many lanes are on the road,.whether there's a shoulder, how many vehicles are stopped, etc.

[@smann2320]

Thanks for not talking during the video!

[@bejudson1384]

You're welcome!

[@bejudson1384]

I was speechless to tell the tuth.

[@1974jrod]

This video is proof that a 2 hundred pound man with a can of bear spray is really a stupid idea.

[@GracielaT-SatoCaptainMama]

Amen!

[@GracielaT-SatoCaptainMama]

This gives a whole new meaning to "rolling down the river."

[@alexysmittelstaedt6870]

We drove by this and took a pic. We only saw the after effects of him laying next to the river. Thanks for the video. We were so curious on how it went down with the river

[@bejudson1384]

Very cool! Thanks.

[@Panama83507]

Nature is metal sent us. Great video!

[@chevymartin8238]

Natureismetal sent me

[@teflnkng8256]

Same lol

[@Throughthebit2000]

Congratulations man! Being at the right spot at the right time with the right gear is partly luck, but you have captured an epic natural battle in the wild, and that too skill! Thank you for sharing!

[@bejudson1384]

Thanks a ton!

[@devmac6343]

All these stupid people in the comments "Why didn't you do something? How could you film this? Scare the bear away!"....I am absolutely stunned by the stupidity.

[@unclegrizzly7112]

It is downright frightening that such people exist. I want to try to convince myself they are trolling.

[@bejudson1384]

Better to leave all bears alone, I think you would agree.

[@travisgregory6442]

@@bejudson1384 nope kill all the bears . I just don't get it if wolves kill livestock it's kill the wolves because they are costing us profit that's why. Same with coyotes bears etc. So when a mountain lion kills a dog it's just nature but he attacks a human he's gotta die. It's just mother nature right????

[@ffhd1clt]

So I haven’t been on KZbin in a while, but I have a couple comments on this video. I was in Yellowstone at the time, I think we arrived on Sept 17, 2020, and this video is from the 18th. If you search around, you’ll find other videos from the same kill, because the bear was on this kill for a full week. I live in Charlotte, and it is still my only visit to Yellowstone. When I talk about my visit, I always talk about this bear kill. The road runs along the river in this area, so it was a perfect situation to view, but also great for the bear because the river was between him and the people. I can answer a good many questions about this situation if anyone has any. We stayed a few hours, and the kill had already been made when we arrived. I asked a ranger at the site if the bear made the kill, or if he found/took over the kill. He said the bear made the kill the day before. I asked if he witnessed the kill, and he said “yes, on KZbin,” which cracked me up. If you want my advice, scroll through the kill until the bear has the elk on shore. Then look for a few of the other videos. Because it was a week, there are videos of a lone wolf having a look (obviously didn’t have a chance), and several encounters with other bears. After the week, he actually gave what remained to another bear. I feel so lucky to have witnessed this.

[@bejudson1384]

I share your feelings! I was leaving the Park the morning of the kill and stayed one extra night for a view the following morning and since appreciated the great videos of the following days.

[@bryce5974]

Nature is metal

[@baldeagletransportingllc9266]

Natural is metal led me here.

[@alexjasso8728]

Here because of Nature is metal

[@bejudson1384]

Thank you.

[@tythe73rdcreative]

Nature is metal with the metal plug

[@philliphendon4991]

You got to capture a once in a lifetime event. That is way the parks never get old, You never know what you are going to see when you go out.

[@bejudson1384]

I return as often as I can to Yellowstone and the Tetons. Great adventures! Thanks.

[@timhadri5257]

Not only the bear is strong, he is also smart, the way he used water to his advantage to roll the carcass to shore proves he is an intelligent creature.

[@bejudson1384]

No doubt.

[@mjministry]

Yea some bears are on the intelligence level of apes and some studies have shown that grizzlies will avoid walking in mud so you can’t see their tracks

[@fceuro8305]

@@mjministry as with apes all intelligent till they figure out how to start a fire then we fucked 😂

[@ericknabenshue5689]

@@fceuro8305 by then our time will have come and passed and A.I. probably wont give a shit.

[@dqreps]

@@ericknabenshue5689 exactly. We will be dead and gone anyway.

[@jwildonger2158]

Must admit one of the best wildlife videos I've seen in a long time . Thank You

[@bejudson1384]

Wow, thank you!

[@braydens5224]

Just incase I forgot all the reasons to be terrified of bears!

[@bejudson1384]

Now that's funny!!

[@hodges32]

Thank you for the reminder!!!

[@ehsansabaghian5617]

This is an unbelievable footage. You have been very lucky to witness it and record it. Thanks for sharing it. Really amazing.

[@bejudson1384]

Thank you. I had my eye on the Bull Elk and a few Cows in the meadow in the first photograph when the injured elk headed into the river from the timber on the left. It was providence that I went to video on the camera just as the bear appeared and began its chase.

[@ehsansabaghian5617]

@@bejudson1384 Thanks for the context story. I didn't know that elk was injured. Why he was injured and why he ran from the herd into the river? By the way, I have watched it 6-7 times already! :)

[@bejudson1384]

Wow! Thanks for the views. Visitors and wildlife managers explained to me the Bull Elk may have been in a fight for dominance over a harem of cow elk ready to breed. A stronger bull probably struck the attacked bull in the side behind the left front leg wounding it. And the broken leg causing the elk to struggle crossing the river just before the attack weakened it more. The bear may have heard the fight, or smelled the wound, waiting nearby for an opportunity to go after the elk. The first photo in the second video shows the puncture wound thought to be from before the attack by people I spoke with.

[@unclegrizzly7112]

Wow! Thank you so much for capturing and sharing this with the world. Based on some of the comments it is clear this is definitely a video people should see.

[@bejudson1384]

You're very welcome

[@johnkruse5403]

Amazing! I was in the Hayden Valley the evening before watching those four wolves finish off an elk carcass. I was out at first light but decided to get photos of the elk herd along the Madison River the morning you got this incredible footage. I got my photos but you shot the video of a lifetime! Thanks for sharing.

[@bejudson1384]

I was out watching the wolves the night before too, and sent my kids a text...Wolves, Grand Finale, and in the morning sent another text.. A curtain call, Grizzly on an elk. I love spending time in Yellowstone, usually quite the adventure. You are welcome.

[@EthaKidd1]

Imagine the kind of power and torque that bear is putting on thats elks spine! Every shake of its head is an attempt to snap the spinal cord of that elk!

[@jayb.8460]

Bears are so smart. He made a paddle board out of the elk.😅

[@grindfatherx2534]

NickMercs sent me here

[@anthonyhernandez2799]

Same 😂

[@katesierrarose8182]

SAME LMAO

[@yvibes]

W

[@bejudson1384]

Thanks!

[@jimbojones8978]

QUE PASA! !!!

[@cambium0]

hard to tell whether the bear got through to the spine or whether the Elk drowned. I think it got its lungs full of water when they moved over into deeper water and it stopped struggling at that point and asphyxiated within a minute or two.

[@bejudson1384]

I completely agree with you and I thought perhaps drowning was preferable to the pain inflicted on its spinal cord. Thanks for commenting.

[@Bella.216]

Bear: Look a week Elk Elk: You're going to work for your supper Bear: Hold my beer

[@MaxWaughPhoto]

Incredible footage. Well done getting the whole sequence.

[@bejudson1384]

I really appreciate hearing your comment!!!! I admire your work. Absolutely beautiful, but it's fun for me to also get to capture a video of an extraordinary Yellowstone moment. While I am away, I am glad professionals like you are there!

[@tracyl2710]

Wow! Thank you so much for sharing! You obviously know how to be in the right place at the right time.

[@Manutdreds10]

I arrived at this scene a few days after. The bear was still there, sleeping. He would sleep for a few hours, eat some more, and go back to bed.

[@EmptyNestAdventures]

Putting on his hibernation stores. They should be moving into their dens in the next month or so.

[@Manutdreds10]

@@EmptyNestAdventures That's what I had suspected. Thank you for the confirmation.

[@bejudson1384]

I wonder how much sleep the bear lost stalking the previous night or nights before it saw its opportunity. Exhausting to watch. Exhausting to accomplish probably. Thanks for the view.

[@Jay-ku3ur]

Bull: I'll just run into the water, bears hate water... Bear: mmmm, elk stew.

[@bejudson1384]

Yes LOL, he buried it in the dirt over the following hours and days and let it tenderize I suspect! Thanks for watching.

[@geologyography]

"Texas, I'm talking to you" 🤣🤣

[@bejudson1384]

Hahahah. Ayup!

[@Slinkylabcat]

'At first I thought it was a black bear. Lean, dark. But then I thought: No, this has grizzly written all over it.

[@bejudson1384]

Yes, size and the muscle hump are typical of a grizzly. Thanks for the view.

[@Mark-nz9ek]

The power of bears is incredible,im glad I live in England ,squirrels can be scary tho 🤣

[@bejudson1384]

Understandable:)

[@mikekallas6329]

Ravens too!

[@porfiriato84]

There's a video of a bear trying to kill this big boar. After several minutes the bear just ran off lol. He was exhausted and that boar would just not die even with wide open wounds. Surely he returned once his energy levels were back.

[@balls_down_ya_throat456]

@@porfiriato84 Post the link.

[@Dionysoshaman]

@@balls_down_ya_throat456 it'was little black bear

[@andremiller5552]

I love that the bear told people to “keep the traffic moving”.

[@timothyspencer4347]

Amazing video ! As said before thanks for not commenting while videotaping, pure nature. 👍

[@bejudson1384]

Some things are best left untouched.

[@Dionysoshaman]

Here here for that brother!. It can be really distracting to the amazing spectical that's unfolding before their very own eyes. Bizarro stuffs indeed

[@fatmayo2293]

The bear looking back at the cameraman "Are you getting this" lol

[@bejudson1384]

Yep, I edited out the sound of closing myself in the vehicle after those looks, and the approach to the nearby shore:)

[@dukadarodear2176]

Yes. Her name is Ursula and what she does is bearly credible.

[@Oluwabold]

Came to deliver Nature is metal's message

[@PeterEigbedionWordsmithtotle]

Same here! Grizzly 791 is an assassin!

[@ebookpioneers]

Notice at 2:20 the elk is very much alive and 5 seconds later, upside down in the water, it's no longer moving. I heard a man who drowned but was resuscitated back to life say that as soon as he breathed water into his lungs he felt a sharp pain in them and then passed out immediately. Apparently drowning is one of the easier ways to go.

[@ebookpioneers]

@Ferret45 ???

[@ebookpioneers]

@Ferret45 To any intelligent person your comment is nonsense.

[@ebookpioneers]

@Ferret45 Hmm . . . pretty sure no one on the planet understands what laughter could possibly be referring to with drowning victim stats. Maybe you could tell us all.

[@bejudson1384]

Thanks for making your point.

[@julzmuzik9464]

Bear tried to save the elk from drowning. Stayed with the elk until the end. A true friend.

[@santiian166]

Just remember that there are people who think they can win a fight against a grizzly.

[@NathanFlorence]

Bear didnt flinch at the antlers turned on him just went right for the spine!

[@MrTullomania]

We came upon the scene quite by accident a couple of days later. There were two bears on the scene with the dead and buried bull elk. I've seen cars and photographers pulled over to the side of the road before in Yellowstone Park but never have I seen before so many photographers clad head to toe in camo with their 400 mm fast lenses also clad in matching camo capturing this incredible situation. Lucky for them that they didn't even need to leave the comfort of their vehicle to get the shot. It happened so close to the road. What a magnificent portrayal of how wild Yellowstone still is. Thousands of people got to drive by in the comfort of their cars and witness awesome nature on display in the Yellowstone River only 80-100 yards distant. Moments later, only a mile or two to the south in the heart of Hayden Valley, a couple hundred bison oblivious to the carnage happening downsteam, happily munched away on grass while hundreds of tourists in flip flops jumped out of their cars to get that all important selfie with a bison.

[@bejudson1384]

UH oh, selfies with bison is a little risky, isn't it. I was watching the bull elk in the first photo, upper right corner of the meadow with cows, and setting my camera lighting for a pre-sunup shot when the injured elk came into view and just as I flicked to video, the bear. Astonishing to see quite close where the river and road converge. A great opportunity for photographers that rolled in after and visitors hoping to see a grizzly bear during their trip. Thanks for the updates!

[@MrTullomania]

@@bejudson1384 I always shake my head at how close people get to those bison to get the selfie with their smart phones. It is more ironic to see this behavior moments after they see evidence of nature's carnage and power up the road a couple of miles. Your footage is incredible, as is your luck to be there that early morning when it all unfolded. Nature was working as it should. The elk was injured and therefore vulnerable to the bear. It seemed to resign itself to its fate when it realized the bear had the advantage, even in the deep water of the Yellowstone River. It is remarkable that the drama played out so close to the road. Yellowstone never ceases to amaze me. I wish I were still there to watch the seasons change and to see the animals prepare for the long cold winter--such as stuffing themselves with elk meat as this fortunate Grizzly and its mate just did.

[@bejudson1384]

I wish I was still there as well. What a place President Grant thought to nationalize for the benefit of "all". Almost 150 years of people like us loving it!!

[@daveomacron4301]

Lucky Elk. Drowning seems a damn site better than being eaten alive.

[@adrianojames7903]

Lololo, I used to think drowning would be a horrible way to go. NOW, the worst way to go would be being mauled by a grizzly while swimming across a river , pulled underwater so many times and so fast that you never have a chance to fill your lungs , all the while feeling claws and teeth ripping you a new one. Yes , I too , would prefer to simply drown to the alternative.

[@rareairentertainment2794]

What struck me as the most tragic is that the elk actually had a chance with that head gear but he decided to fight just seconds too late.

[@bejudson1384]

He was injured with a bad left leg before entering the river, and at the beginning of the video you can see how his lame leg slows him down in the water Grizzlies are opportunists and may have come across the elk sometime before it saw an advantage to for an attack.. It is tragic to watch.

[@karamlevi]

BE Judson it’s like virus 🦠... don’t have complications or preconditions... and you’ll be fine... or heal up those issues-

[@silverthread7254]

Does this count as Hunting or Fishing?

[@richardeast3328]

Hope that the bear was licensed for both.

[@bejudson1384]

Only in our world. Thanks for watching.

[@mlmiami]

Nature is Metal

[@leahpartner8804]

Wow! Great footage. We were there after the fact and saw the bear. I couldn’t believe that I found your video! Thanks for sharing!!

[@bejudson1384]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@joshwakelam5371]

Great video, what a thing to catch on film. Bugling in the background. Nature is beautiful

[@z-licious]

Bugling...do you mean the elk or the warden on the horn telling people to move along? 😂🤣😂👌

[@bejudson1384]

It really is!

[@loganaltrichter2324]

I drove past shortly after this happened... Pretty wild to see. Great filming!

[@bejudson1384]

Thanks!

[@BAMA-2019]

No you didnt drive by...stop lying

[@thepracticalanimal]

What an absolutely astonishing film. From an ethological perspective, so interesting to see real behaviour in the wild like this. Thank you for posting.

[@bejudson1384]

Thanks you. I'm glad you are interested in the survival skills of Yellowstone wildlife. It is always an extraordinary experience!

[@martinyuhas929]

Great filming! You hold the camera steady and I didn’t hear any OMG OMG OMG in the background. This is incredible.

[@bejudson1384]

Thank you so much!! I was holding my breath. And, I was the lone person at the pullout, inititally.

[@Ghoulies]

You saw THAT video too, huh 😄

[@Ghoulies]

@@bejudson1384 Good job, sir

[@mjministry]

Just goes to show how fast and powerful a grizzly is even in water

[@bejudson1384]

Absolutely. Thanks for watching.

[@richardeast3328]

@Steven Miller Looks like if the elk would have turned and confronted the grizzly earlier, it might have stood a better chance.

[@rogertaveras1371]

Anyone else got sent here from good ole NickyMercs?! Lol

[@jamesnicholson1029]

:D that was dope

[@bob1025926]

MFAM! Is this what he was talking about?? lol

[@offerman55]

Roger Taveras yup

[@meCmoni]

ME lol

[@bejudson1384]

Lots of fans. Thanks for the views.

[@bobhess5986]

Kudos to the cameraman for holding the camera still.

[@bejudson1384]

Thanks. Your comment is appreciated!

[@Highlandsman]

The opening picture shows the bull running. His left rear leg is broken. How that happened no one knows but the bear took full advantage.

[@bejudson1384]

Thanks for your comment! And for watching.

[@sashaprice6749]

Such an amazing video and to be able to capture nature at it's finest. Thank you do much for sharing. I just wish more people would understand that this is normal for nature and it's all apart if the cycle of life.

[@bejudson1384]

I hope so too

[@mjsmcd]

At its lowest u mean

[@codystudliness4864]

@@mjsmcd how so? Explain.

[@TylerLee1]

Came across this bear/carcass today. Still at the same spot , sleeping next to the kill.

[@bejudson1384]

Yes he was tired today, wasn't he. Perhaps bruised and feeling battered also.

[@suecastillo4056]

I deleted my first response to this scene... a gentleman pointed out an undesputable point re: our behavior as humans... I get it...

[@suecastillo4056]

And yes, I imagine he was really tired and bruised... I get it. Just kept waiting for that elk to get away...🤔♥️

[@Spartan902]

That bear just started eating it while it was still standing. The Elk never stood a chance! Nature is brutal.

[@wardboy23]

Yoda: Metal is what Nature does

[@csan_z3411]

Who’s here from nature is metal

[@EmptyNestAdventures]

Again, but in English.

[@bejudson1384]

Too many to count. Thanks to everyone.

[@morten8586]

Imagine 2 healthy male elks working together, no single bear could do shit against them

[@bejudson1384]

The bison seem to gather in defense against predators, but seeing the bull with cows in the opening picture, (upper right in the meadow), it was not the case for this injured elk.

[@boelsa]

Grizzly #791 made this kill, he is huge and the bull elk is massive. Once in a lifetime experience here. Wow! I have video of the same grizzly on a bison carcass from late August, 2018. Well done shooting the video!

[@bejudson1384]

Thank you. It's a treat to be able to identify a bear from previous trip sightings.

[@boelsa]

BE Judson Yea, it is. Looking forward to more of your videos, I come out to park spring/fall to hike the trails and backcountry. I watch a lot of wildlife,I come across these grizzlies out on the trail a bit. Like to keep my distance from them out there. Will be checking out your videos!

[@anndeheide3440]

@@boelsa Was that the bison carcass in the river at LaHardy in August 2018? Nice to identify the bear!

[@boelsa]

Ann DeHeide my video of the grizzly was across from the Nez Perce picnic area. It’s on my page,click on me to look for it.

[@bejudson1384]

Be careful and turn 360's every now and then.

[@ciscokid711]

Did he get a permit before fishing?

[@bejudson1384]

Hahahahaha. That area is closed to fishing, so we know the answer to that.

[@yougottabkdding1878]

Ahhh. What's more natural than "lets keep traffic rolling"? The great outdoors!

[@bejudson1384]

Or more American??

[@PeteCurrington]

Nothing to see here people, keep it moving...

[@joshmartin398]

Why the hell didn't the guy taking the video warn the elk. They have such a hard time as it is. Elk are such a magnificent animal. I would have shot the griz

[@MoniqueGuntherWARealtor]

Awesome video.. Thank you! The Elk was obviously injured because it was moving so slow. The bear took advantage of the injured Elk. The Elk was not strong enough to fight back. It's called survival of the fittest. It's just nature and the wild!

[@bejudson1384]

Absolutely, great insight.