Anyone who has taken a summer hike in the woods without seeing so much as chipmunk might wonder if there are any animals out there at all. It’s wintertime that opens a window to the wanderings of wildlife. The signs of animals on the move are everywhere, making the snowy months the best time of the year to take stock of the creatures that surround us, even if we don’t see them.
An elk calf in the Avalanche herd is collared in the high country (left) and a cow elk is collared at Glassier Open Space.
The survival of elk calves is the focus of a 6-year, statewide study that will enter its second year in 2020 with continuing support from Pitkin County Open Space and Trails.