A man was injured when he startled a cow elk outside of Lone Tree Apartments, 1310 Manford Ave., at 8:39 a.m. Saturday, prompting officials to warn people that elk can get aggressive when they think their young are threatened.
The man walked out of the front door of his apartment, startling a cow elk who attacked him, according to Estes Park public information officer Kate Miller.
He was transported to Estes Valley Medical Center; town officials did not know the extent of his injuries.
A Colorado Parks & Wildlife officer responded to the apartments to locate the cow elk and found that it had moved from the area along with its calf into a more secluded spot, away from the public, according to CPW public information officer Kara Van Hoose.
Miller said that Estes Park Police officers were dispatched to Manford Avenue three other times throughout the day Saturday, and to “multiple other areas of town” in response to aggressive elk. No other injuries were reported Saturday.
“We encourage people to be extremely cautious and aware of their surroundings at all times,” Miller said. “Calving season, just like the fall rut, reminds us that elk are wild and dangerous animals. This is the time of year cow elk can become very aggressive as they protect their newborns from perceived threats.”
There are currently no trail closures, but signs are posted on Manford Avenue, and on the Lake Estes trail between the public parking garage and the bird sanctuary warning about aggressive elk in the area.
Van Hoose said that elk calving season runs from mid-May to the end of June, and cows can display increased aggression during that time while their young are the most vulnerable and not able to move on their own.
She said that cow elk generally choose secluded places for their calves where they feel the calf is safe to be left alone while the cows search for food. But habituated elk — those that have lost their natural fear of humans due to repeated, close-up contact — are more likely to drop their calves in residential areas.
Van Hoose said it is generally recommended that people stay at least 75 yards from elk, because cow elk can charge from a great distance if they perceive threats to their calves.
“Please give them as much space as possible, which includes turning around on a trail if you spot an elk, or maybe parking in a different location,” she said.
If you encounter an elk acting aggressively, the safest response is to leave the area immediately, Van Hoose said.
“Start backing up and don’t turn to run,” she said. “If you have a dog, make sure the dog is on-leash at all times and does not run to interact with the elk. If the elk starts to approach your dog, do not pick up the dog because that can lead to the elk getting aggressive with you while you’re holding the dog. If you’re unable to safely leave the area, put large objects, like cars or trees, between you and the elk.”
On May 27, a mother and daughter reported being chased by an aggressive cow elk after they walked past her newborn calf in Rocky Mountain National Park.
The town of Estes Park says that encounters between the roughly 3,000 elk that call the Rocky Mountain National Park and Estes Park area home and the more than 4 million visitors who visit the park annually are inevitable.
The town warns people to observe wildlife laws that prohibit feeding or harassing wildlife, or allowing one’s pet to harass wildlife.
Reports of protective elk endangering people may be made to the Estes Park Police Department at 970-586-4000.
