The University of Colorado today asked visitors not to badger a “rare” and “extremely dangerous” animal spotted roaming campus grounds, but a state wildlife official says CU has the critter’s reputation all wrong.
Colorado Parks and Wildlife came to the badger’s defense this afternoon after CU officials sounded the alarm about the campus’s four-legged visitor.
“It’s not rare, and it’s not a dangerous animal,” said Jennifer Churchill, spokeswoman for the state agency.
Churchill explained that badgers aren’t unlikely in the area, with some known to congregate in Estes Park.
“They’re not a predator,” Churchill said. “They won’t go after a human unless they’re being provoked or defending their young.”
CU tweeted a photo of the animal today, and warned passerbys not to approach it.
