The notion that a donkey could on one day become part of an elk Herd may seem rather strange at initial instances. However, there are signs of such commuting from wildlife observation, as shown next. Here, the writer goes deeper into understanding reactions of the donkeys when in contact with the elks, an analysis of the outcome of cross encroachment as well as the mutual interdependency that develops between the two species.
The Unlikely Companions: Some of the resident wild animals that end up on the ranch include donkeys and Elk herds .
It is rather surprising to come across a donkey surrounded by elks and although such perceptions have created raise more questions than answers among wildlife lovers and academics. Observing the reaction and activity of donkeys in approaching or interacting with elk herds is crucial to understanding predator-prey relations in the wilderness.
Observations and Behavior Analysis
There are studies whereby wildlife observers have captured footage of donkeys displaying low profile and ineffective aggressiveness when around herds of elks. Such behaviors are similar to the wild ones because donkeys graze alongside the Elk in many if not most of the instances. There is no evidence that the elk see them as threats or intruders, and do not appear to avoid the boogiemen as a typical prey species would, implying some acceptance by the group.
Management of Elk Herd and Its Reactions: Ecological Consequences
Even the elk does not approach any new species that enter his/her territory violently, but react rather softly. But observations have revealed that these species admire donkeys and this could be due to their docile behavior. Such commensal relationship of two different species in one location leads to the following conundrums: Whether interspecies interactions are friendly to, or detrimental to, the environment?
Research on Inter-Species Interaction Among Wildlife Creatures
Donkeys have been introduced to some of the herds of elk, this give the researchers a good chance to observe cross species behaviors in natural environment. To learn about the about the ecology of interactions between two species, some important factors are habitat use and niche overlap, resource partitioning and speciation among herbivores, as well as the formation of mutualism.