elk; wapiti
Refers specifically to the North American elk (Cervus canadensis), also known as wapiti. Not to be confused with the European moose (often called 'elk' in British English).
The American elk is a large deer that lives in North America.
I saw the large antlers of an American elk at the zoo.
Katakana spelling is standard for this loanword-based animal name; usually written in kana.
Kanji spelling exists but is rarely used; the katakana form is strongly preferred.
Compound of アメリカ (America) and 赤鹿 (red deer), literally 'American red deer', though it refers to the elk/wapiti, not the European red deer.