Elk calving season has arrived at Yellowstone National Park, and officials are reminding visitors to stay alert around one of the park’s most iconic species.
While cow elk may appear calm and docile alongside their newborns, park managers warn that female elk become significantly more aggressive toward people during calving season. Attacks can be unprovoked and unpredictable, and visitors should not assume an elk’s passive appearance means it poses no threat.
Yellowstone National Park asks that anyone planning a visit keep the following precautions in mind:
Maintain a minimum distance of 25 yards, roughly the length of two full-sized buses, from all elk at all times. This buffer applies whether the animal appears relaxed or agitated.
Look around corners before exiting buildings or navigating blind spots. Cow elk frequently bed their calves near structures and beneath parked vehicles, placing unsuspecting visitors in close proximity to protective mothers without warning.
Exercise extra caution during early morning and evening hours when low light makes it harder to spot wildlife before an encounter occurs.
If an elk charges, do not freeze. Run away immediately and seek shelter inside a vehicle or behind a tall, sturdy barrier as quickly as possible.
Park officials emphasize that visitors bear personal responsibility for their own safety. Yellowstone’s wildlife is wild, and no fence or ranger presence guarantees protection. Awareness and preparation are the most effective tools a visitor can bring into the park.
Additional safety guidelines for visiting Yellowstone are available at go.nps.gov/YELLsafety.
