Watch ‘brave’ elk calf outrun wolf pack in Yellowstone. ‘Makes my heart race’
A “brave” little elk calf sprinted to safety — with a pack of wolves close on its heels in Yellowstone National Park, nail-biting video shows.
The pack had separated the calf from its mother across the Yellowstone River, Yellowstone guide Andrea Baratte said in a July 1 post on Instagram. He had captured the encounter that morning and shared it to his Instagram account, montanawild_.
“An incredible scene unfolded in Yellowstone this morning,” Baratte said in the caption on the post. “The Wapiti wolf pack managed to separate a calf from its mother. The calf swam across the river and, thinking the wolves were gone, decided to swim back. Unfortunately, three wolves were waiting on the other side.”
Video shows the calf running for its life with three wolves pursuing it as it bounds across the river’s shore and launches its nimble body into the water to make a swim for it. The wolves go in and swim after it.
The video doesn’t show what happens after that, but Baratte said the calf escaped in the end.
“In a brave attempt, the calf made it safely back to its mother,” Baratte said. “Wolves have a very low hunting success rate — only around 10-15%.”
Someone in the comments admitted they were pulling for the elk.
“Incredible. Have to say I was (rooting) for that baby,” they said.
“My heart was pounding watching this video!” someone said, adding that they were “cheering for the calf.”
“Makes my heart race,” another person said.
“That elk calf has some serious speed!” someone else said.
Another person said they hoped the wolves could eat soon, too.
“Smart calf! Love the wolves though!” someone said.
“Major respect for both animals!” someone else said. “Incredible video!”
This story was originally published July 8, 2025 at 12:24 PM with the headline "Watch ‘brave’ elk calf outrun wolf pack in Yellowstone. ‘Makes my heart race’."
