Cervus canadensis Erxleben, 1777 – Wapiti – American elk

The information contained in the Alien Species in Poland database is purely scientific and does not constitute legal advice or carry legal authority.

Status

The species is alien in whole area of its current or past occurrence in Poland

Recorded in the environment in the past

Extinct in Poland

Invasive alien species

According to the decree of the Council of Ministers of December 9, 2022, on the list of invasive alien species of Union concern and the list of invasive alien species of Poland’s concern, remedial actions and measures aimed at restoring the natural state of ecosystems, the American elk is an invasive alien species of Poland’s concern and subject to rapid eradication.

Occurrence

Earliest introduction/record

before 1925

Types of transport

• Intentional transport to Poland

Pathways of introduction

• Hunting

Type of release into natural environment

• Release in nature

References

• Okarma H., Wierzbowska I., Mazurska K. 2018. Ankieta oceny stopnia inwazyjności Cervus canadensis Erxleben, 1777 w Polsce, na podstawie protokołu Harmonia+PL – procedura oceny ryzyka negatywnego oddziaływania inwazyjnych i potencjalnie inwazyjnych gatunków obcych w Polsce Generalna Dyrekcja Ochrony Środowiska link
• Pax F. 1925. Wirbeltierfauna von Schlesien 142. Gebrüder Borntraeger, Berlin

Life form: Mammal

Phylum: Vertebrata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Artiodactyla
Family: Cervidae

Polish synonyms: Jeleń wapiti; Wapiti kanadyjski