Elk is hunted as a game species, and their meat is leaner and higher in protein than beef or chicken. Elk were long believed to belong to a subspecies of the European red deer (Cervus elaphus), but evidence from many mitochondrial DNA genetic studies beginning in 1998 shows that the two are distinct species.
Elk are hunted as a game animal, and their meat is leaner and higher in protein than beef or chicken. Elk were long thought to be a subspecies of the European red deer (Cervus elaphus), but genetic studies from 1998 onwards demonstrate that they are distinct species.