There’s something (quiet) magical that happens every April in the Nordic wilderness and this year, in 2025, it’s streaming live from April 15 to May 1: the Great Elk Migration!

As spring arrives in northern Europe, it signals a time of movement. Elk begin their annual journey, following the same ancient migration route to their summer pastures in northern Sweden, a path they’ve taken for thousands of years.

I’ve always known this was a thing in Sweden, but only recently did I find out that it’s also broadcasted in Finland through Yle, the national public broadcasting company. If you’re in Finland, you can stream it for free on Yle Areena which honestly feels like a small miracle in this age of endless paid platforms!

On Yle Areena, the program is titled Suuri hirvivaellus which translates to “The Great Elk Migration.”

Wild Moments Before the Moose

What surprised me most was how captivating the live stream was, even before the elk appeared. While waiting, I found myself completely absorbed in the quiet rhythm of the forest. At one point, I watched a bear feast on a carcass while birds hovered nearby, waiting for their turn. The tension, the patience, it was like a silent drama unfolding in real time.

Elk in the Water

And then came the moment I’d been waiting for: the elk. As they emerged and stepped into the river, I was struck by how graceful they looked, gliding through the water with only their heads visible above the surface. It was oddly adorable, but it also sparked a question in my mind: were they tall enough to wade across the riverbed, or were they actually swimming? A quick search confirmed it: elk are excellent swimmers!

By the way, all these incredible wildlife moments are made possible thanks to around 30 cameras placed throughout the forest, capturing the migration in real time (source: click here).

Whether you’re tuning in for the elk or just to soak in the peaceful energy of the forest, it’s a beautiful reminder of how much life is quietly unfolding beyond our screens.