Every autumn thousands of tourists come to Estes Park, Colorado to observe herds of elk gather in the valley for their mating season known as the rut. During the rut bull elk become highly protective of their harems and may charge at anything they perceive as a threat, this includes other bulls, vehicles and humans who get too close.
This bull elk on an Estes Park side street was tending to his harem for an hour before a group of tourists arrived on scene determined to have an up close experience. Prior to the encounter, the group had been urged to back off but disregarded the warnings. They were met with predictable territorial aggression which could have very easily ended in injury.
Thankfully no one involved in this incident was injured, but there was very nearly a goring and the man making a hasty escape almost plummeted off an embankment onto an asphalt driveway.
Unfortunately this type of incident is not uncommon in Estes Park during the rut. The Estes Park Police Department receives numerous calls per day this time of year for officers to respond to elk issues around town, the vast majority of these responses are initiated by tourists. The simplest way to avoid negative encounters with elk is to respect their space, maintaining a distance of at least 75 feet at all times. Learn more about proper elk viewing protocol from the Estes Park Police Department below.
Estes Park Police Department Guide To Safe Elk Viewing:
-Elk are wild animals which must be observed from a safe distance to avoid injury or death. If an animal is carefully watching you and appears jumpy, when you move, you are too close.
-Keep pets secured on a leash and do not allow them to bark at, lunge at, or chase wildlife.
-Never block traffic. Move your vehicle to a safe place completely off the roadway to watch elk.
-Do not imitate an elk call, or bugle, when elk are irritable during the rut. This can endanger you and the elk.
-Elk know no boundaries, but people do. Respect private property when viewing wildlife.
The Estes Park Police Department does enforce wildlife laws including laws against feeding or harassing wildlife, or allowing pets to harass wildlife. Residents and visitors alike are reminded to be aware of wildlife at all times and to observe safely from a distance.