Take an Epic Journey With the Elk of Yellowstone | Short Film Showcase

Travel with elk herds on their incredible migration from Wyoming’s ranch lands to Yellowstone’s high-alpine meadows in Elk River.
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The Short Film Showcase spotlights exceptional short videos created by filmmakers from around the web and selected by National Geographic editors. We look for work that affirms National Geographic's belief in the power of science, exploration, and storytelling to change the world. The filmmakers created the content presented, and the opinions expressed are their own, not those of National Geographic Partners.
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National Geographic is the world's premium destination for science, exploration, and adventure. Through their world-class scientists, photographers, journalists, and filmmakers, Nat Geo gets you closer to the stories that matter and past the edge of what's possible.
Scientist Arthur Middleton, photographer Joe Riis, and artist James Prosek follow these remarkable ungulates on their journey as they trek over steep mountain passes and ford treacherous river crossings. Along the way, this band of explorers meet backcountry guides and cattle ranchers whose lives are intricately tied with the fate of the elk and other migratory species that live in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. Filmmaker Jenny Nichols captures the action and skillfully edits the many narratives into one cohesive piece that blends art, conservation, and science.
Learn more about the project: www.greateryellowstonemigratio...
Follow the elk migration: www.nationalgeographic.com/mag...
Find more about:
Arthur Middleton - ourenvironment.berkeley.edu/pe...
Joe Riis - www.joeriis.com/
James Prosek - www.troutsite.com/
Jenny Nichols - pongomediaproductions.com/
Take an Epic Journey With the Elk of Yellowstone | Short Film Showcase
• Take an Epic Journey W...
National Geographic
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[@sickgringo007]

PLEASE upload more full length documentaries like this again

[@kevinfranck6520]

make them longer too

[@kizi429]

Bakerman is Bakin Bread I

[@stephenharewood7013]

@@kevinfranck6520 By

[@Lizuma]

Elk are really beautiful animals, I love the members of the deer family. This documentary was amazing and beautiful too! I want to visit Yellowstone National Park so badly one day.

[@TheSilkey22]

I live near Yellowstone and there’s nothing better than seeing a pack of wolves rip apart elk calves

[@joligra]

@@TheSilkey22 troll alert

[@2the1land6_]

@@TheSilkey22you should play wolfquest lol

[@sui11106]

7:35 , this scenery got me crying. Its so beautiful.

[@gihankanishka]

I feel you.

[@wayne6512]

Check out at around 12:27. The elk seem to stop and take in the scenery from an elevated viewpoint. Looks like they even appreciate it.

[@kimberleebrackley2793]

AWSOME! More please, help keep Yellowstone safe for the future. As a kid l was fortunate to look down upon a herd myself. There were so many all moving together heading somewhere important to them, it was an unforgettable sight, haven't seen it since.

[@katherineuribe2952]

Those elk have been traversing that area, migrating, for millions of years. I'm very happy to see the ranchers adjust their fences to allow them to pass safely. 👍😎

[@miguelvaldez3913]

That's because they are elk and are good hunting and eating....if they were mustangs....

[@jordanmachler9017]

They had to. It's too expensive to replace barbed wire year after year.

[@Creations-Corner]

Thank recreational hunters for that otherwise these guys would’ve been wiped out by commercials hunting around 1900.

[@PumperMT]

Thanks for the peek into something beautiful. The world is link and you've now preserved forever Yellowstone and the wild life there for all to see. Hope people see this and change their perspectives to how they see and treat the world for our children's children. Good Luck in your future's adventure's.

[@littlejimbridger7770]

The best days of my life were spent observing the elk migrations near the Gallatin Valley and Paradise Valley of Montana. It was a sight to behold in the pre-wolf days. Still is, but now you get a bonus ... listening to the wolves.

[@ChasinBugles]

now the wolves have decimated the herd

[@jensen7194]

The "SPIRIT" is with You!!!....WE need More !!!!

[@LADYGURRLL]

So absolutely gorgeous, all around cannot beat this. Makes me want to cry! Let's come together and do things right by this land and our brothers and our sisters. Start using only glass. Ban plastic. With the tech we can do it. Electric or propulsion but not fossils. These fossil layers need to stay for the earth's coolant layer. It's going to wipe us off the face of it if we don't stop. We may or may not learn but what if we can.

[@kenzingtonscarlet6639]

I definetly need to go to Yellowstone now, I've always loved Elk and to see this many out in nature like this is awesome!!! I love this bueatiful Earth!!!

[@hadirizvi2182]

If you want to see elk you have to go to a park in Quebec called omega parc it's a safari and you get to drive for 12 km and there's wolves bears deer and elk and more but it's in canada

[@lisasemmler4111]

Just amazing! Thank you to all the people who made it possible for the rest of us to see this breathtaking footage.

[@chrisistubeyou]

What a treat to watch, thank you

[@old4004]

Beautiful art work and photography. Thank you NG Guys!

[@msyahwey4ever]

I didn't realize how pretty they, the Elk are, until this video.😂 Thanks Nat Geo!

[@asgram1980]

Magnificent...and every adjective that I've heard and all those I haven't ! Simply outstanding photography & cinematography. Thanks for the efforts from all those individuals & entities involved in this video!!

[@imtiazahmadwildlifephotography]

extremely beautiful........Mountains, amazing forests, massive lake Yellowstone that is so big

[@Convolutedtear]

This is amazing, thank you for letting me experience that paradise. It truly is amazing!

[@SakuraPonchonsavarit]

wow, breathtaking cinematography!

[@andrewschaefer5012]

I love how some of the animals encountering the remote cameras pick it out immediately as something out of place. Even though its a small object designed to blend in with the natural surroundings, some of them know it's out of place. Is it the scent, the profile, or do they just remember that there was nothing like that in that spot on the last trip through the pass?

[@kodykennington3478]

Elk are beautiful creatures! They taste good as well!

[@josephyang4997]

I love how their dog just follows them everywhere.

[@flako9571]

My DREAM! Mother nature is so beautiful!

[@jennifermartin4631]

I'm a photographer and all these shots are spectacular!!!! Very well done!!! Beautiful scenery and paintings!!!

[@shajreenshaikh3603]

Thank You for taking me from a small village in India to Yellowstone 😊

[@valentinabecker9408]

Thats really beautiful, thank you.

[@Loonie1029]

That is awesome! Thank you!

[@philjr5714]

Nowhere, and I've been to almost every major national park minus Alaska, can match the awesomeness of Yellowstone. It's not just the paint pots and hot springs those are amazing in their own right but the scenery is so beautiful. Mountains, amazing forests, massive lake Yellowstone that is so big it creates its own weather, beautiful river and streams, prairie you name it Yellowstone will have it. Maybe not rainforest but hey that's about all that's missing. Plus the Tetons! You cannot go to Yellowstone and not see the Tetons. If you have any kind of love for the outdoors Yellowstone and the Tetons will enchant you. Elk buffalo wolves mule deer so many amazing mammals. Take your kids there. You won't regret it.

[@prepperjonpnw6482]

PhilJr I absolutely agree with you!! When I die Yellowstone will be my heaven.

[@MrRyanmcmahon]

Radical footage, This team did a fantastic job. The river crossing is epic.

[@kemkem582]

22:13 Jack's tapping in to his inner wolf!

[@user-cm1up9bb7k]

TAPTAP IT MAKES A SOUND

[@ragz8]

I bet that pup was loving life up there.

[@katherineuribe2952]

That's a working dog, and they're most happy when out with people & herds, busy all day! So, this trek was the perfect adventure for the dog!

[@lorettadrebenstedt1203]

wow beautiful Yellowstone !!!!!!!

[@visualtraveler5263]

Amazing footage. The guy sitting next to the river when the elk began to cross and with the bear following was the best of all, of this film. Congratulations on everything accomplished in making this documentary. 👍 ✌

[@staplesoap]

I love deer and elk! There so great to see!

[@TNTbird11]

My children and I really enjoyed this, thank you!

[@breAnnasmama]

Awe what a precious profile pic of a mommy and her babies ! God bless u all !!

[@amyisenhour]

Great film! His paintings are beautiful, too!! So interesting watching the bears mess with the camera. Lived in Montana for 23 years and there's nothing like it, love that part of the country, so serene. And cold. Very. Cold.

[@BaldevSingh-dq1ij]

Wonderful nature Mother nature we must keep safe

[@patrines35]

OMG! Amazing project! Thank you all for your work. Loved every piece of it 😍😍😍

[@mariagustafson1633]

Thank you oooo so thank you. .. I cry to see all my wonderful American migration of Wild life. ..thank you so much ...sincerely from old widow woman in Washington state. God bless you all for sharing your journey. Wonderful. I cry with joy....sincerely 🐕‍🦺😁👍🇺🇲👍👍👍👍👍👍💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜

[@ben2004511]

Beautiful documentary, thank you.

[@WiseMusicOnline]

Last part is amazing !!

[@jensen7194]

Save Our Planet!!!....Our Native Ecosystems!!!!....A++

[@carlosapiang8256]

Those credits are fantastic!!

[@cruzada07]

i love that dog that follows you around

[@jetwhitcher633]

Absolutely incredible video!!!

[@jfmissy]

this is beautiful. Thank you.

[@pauldodson2018]

Excellent documentary. Thank you. I was so naive about how high elk would ascend in elevation.-Paul

[@muleyhunter99]

Very well done documentary-the best I've ever seen! What most people who watch this won't realize is that most of these elk migrations in and out of Yellowstone don't happen anymore. The grizzly bear population has exploded and they are extremely efficient at eating elk calves on the calving grounds in the high country. More importantly since the 1995 introduction of non-native canadian wolves to Yellowstone (and the surrounding areas) the elk population in Yellowstone is at an all-time low. The elk surviving these predators have figured out that if they stay on the lower elevation private ranches and protected areas the grizzlies and wolves can't get to them-elk populations around Jackson and Cody are actually doing very well as long as don't migrate. Ask anyone who has visited Yellowstone recently how many elk, deer, bighorn sheep or moose they saw compared to how many grizzly bear or wolves.

[@TheCorrectionist1984]

muleyhunter99 , why aren't they controlling the grizzly population?

[@TheCorrectionist1984]

muleyhunter99 , well let's not get carried away. I can't imagine what the world would look like without those long hairs. I live in WA, and i bet we'd have have the forest we do now.

[@tylert0001]

Preach

[@brucejohnson9673]

Hunting pressure is way way down. It decreases every year as active hunters age. There are lots of pressures on the Elk, but Wolves are the most significant cause of the decline. Everywhere the wolves have gone, the Elk have nearly disappeared. It's far worse than anyone ever predicted, and worse than most people will even admit. The Selway of Idaho used to have similar herds to Yellowstone, and it's been destroyed by wolves. This year, 2018, I spent a week in there and didn't hear a single bugle or see a single elk. There was very little sign and few tracks. The guide had been there for three weeks through the peak rut, and heard a total of 1 elk bugle in that entire time. There was lots of wolf sign however.

[@Guitarplayer219]

Apex predator populations do not need to be managed just to manage their prey. Ecologically speaking, any apex predator at the top of the food chain, due to the bottom up effect, will force the numbers to be controlled due to the sheer amount of food it requires to survive and thrive. Therefore their numbers will adjust to low elk numbers, and elk numbers will rise as grizzly numbers falls, these trends are common in nature and happen all the time. Humans do not need to intervene in an ecosystem with a balance of apex predators

[@georgesf7100]

Jack's a badass

[@francisjanssen8013]

Thank you for this wonderful documentary on yellow stone and it’s wild elk beautiful story and documentary the wild please post more Francis from New Zealand

[@nesseihtgnay9419]

we need to save this beautiful planet. ill die for it

[@nicolehailey2089]

Eventually we'll all die on it.

[@renewoffles4369]

Your lifeless corpse will feed her one day don’t worry

[@jonslg240]

@Obi One TIL: the ocean needs oxygen filters. The More You Know amirite? I know I am you don't have to say it

[@thejurassicchicken1445]

Enjoy it while it lasts. dont worry to much about the global warming or anything, because you cant make much of a difference. Dont feel to pressured to save the planet, instead enjoy it by hiking, hunting, traveling, studying, etc. If you do want to help, get ecosia

[@diegobrando7652]

@@thejurassicchicken1445 or you could come up near were i live bc i live in northern mn and there are a lot of forests and animals

[@bonniebrook1]

Awesome Thank YOU for that so beautiful

[@jimberkenfield7957]

fantastic film. forwarded it to many people. terrific.

[@davidchin2049]

I have so much respect for elk

[@IrvinHerreraGarza]

These short film showcases are amazing !

[@melissadiep3532]

So amazing!

[@majidniaz4543]

Melissa Diep you also

[@bernardvinkovic9721]

I love that elk picture u made

[@petermumford1652]

Wow...extremely well done, insightful and inspiring! Thanks to all involved

[@ArmyOfOne1996]

Awesome!

[@trafalgar22a8]

Peaceful, serene. beautiful.

[@chrishoo2]

Such a great documentary. Congratulations to all involved!

[@joshweickum]

i'm so jealous

[@NgaNguyen-wg1jt]

WOW beautiful scenery👍☯👍☯👍Thank you for saving natural creatures.🤗😂🤗😂🤗😘😘✌☮✌

[@nicorobokun]

Thank you for always wonderful video. :)

[@RATBURL]

That was pretty cool 😏

[@markhogan6057]

the best part of this video was the awesome doggo who came along for the journey

[@bridgerhouston892]

one of the best vids i've seen in ages. Learned so much about a species I thought I knew through and through

[@jeremiahgonzales3290]

Loved every minute of this! Great job guys!

[@omarshabab]

just beautiful!

[@franciscatherine8756]

Wonderful wild life and wonderful paintings👍👍👍👍👏👏👏👏

[@donnacarlo1877]

Magnificent...truly a gift to those who watch this wonderful piece of artful beauty. To all the guys who were intimately involved in the making of this film, I applaud and thank you. The scenes were breathtaking and the I found the whole project extremely informative. I commend you all in your attention to detail and "love" of your craft. Yes, I agree with others, we need more of this. Thank you sincerely.

[@waynegraham143]

That’s dedication right there, awesome job guys, well done 👏

[@poweredthroughgrace1368]

I LOVE the Jesus fish stitched onto their mule's bridle! Very cool

[@user-cm1up9bb7k]

KALEMEPA YOU GET IT WE DO IT WELL DO IT ALL DAY AND SHOCK THE WORLD

[@thepack-stringnomad1327]

Wow thank you so much for doing your goal so the rest of us can learn..

[@gnarlyandy1]

extremely beautiful.

[@scotthughes1458]

I love Elk they are so beautiful,great eating too

[@probliss2193]

you love to see them die you mean

[@mikeleikam2892]

@@probliss2193 no , he means they taste great as a roast or steak, just like antelope or beef!

[@pi_beta7306]

@@probliss2193 beats buying ground beef at the butcher in taste and ethics...

[@muffintop420]

Marinate for 2 days in worcestershire sauce, onions, garlic and pepper. Oh so so yummy!

[@eliasabouda4231]

yep

[@abbigail3923]

I love the name of the river Elk River...

[@phillipjohnson7583]

This stuff often seems weird to me...it is like cameramen documenting cameramen who are documenting.

[@justcollectingdust]

I just wish they would do these films with closed captions (CC). I miss so much without know what they are saying, scenery is gorgeous though!

[@tomscott3]

this was _exceptionally_ well done!

[@bkbland1626]

Great video. Many thanks.

[@vic5828]

Fantastic video. One day I will go to Yellowstone to see the elk. If you really love elk you should become a member of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation. They have done a lot for elk country.

[@fiftieskidbobmckinstry5023]

Great job guys beautifully done.

[@dannywhitlock8309]

Awesome documentary ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I would like to know what camera equipment were you using, I love filming wildlife but I only have a Canon 80D. Thanks for sharing and I hope too see more wildlife documentaries soon, enjoy and have a Blessed Sunday !!! Danny

[@christopherdavid2216]

Beautiful!

[@sketchmania13]

Great going Jack!

[@thedavidrussellking]

very good one!

[@reenajones8257]

Enjoyed your video thank you for sharing love the elk have a good day hugs

[@wolfymudkips4266]

This is so amazing!

[@sadamhussain-cg1vk]

Wow Excellent...

[@wsterx91]

The dog so cute

[@slycat1939]

AWESOME PAINTINGS AND VIEWS OF THE ANIMALS. THANK YOU FOR THIS LOVED IT.

[@ericmacpherson4373]

NO NEED TO YELL.

[@somerandomedgyguy1723]

oh man thats gonna be great to watch

[@olyviawagoner4071]

Awesome shot from the drone getting the tracks over the mountains 🏔 👌🏼

[@indusvalleycivilization5597]

This is so nice amazing and an informative documentary, I Like your videos.

[@NanookBushcraft]

wow, i adore this

[@karencusterthurstonthewoma9252]

Thank you to the photographers, outfitters, mules and sponsors for this epic look into the high and back country.

[@lorisharpe]

What a beautiful..fascinating country we live in

[@RobynLTD]

Those 2 should just get married already.

[@ayatmohammadhasan4307]

Good video thanks 🌹

[@gihankanishka]

pure magic

[@twolickcreekdeerfarm9023]

I saw these pics in a museum in Wyoming