A man was hospitalized on Saturday, June 6th, after being attacked by a cow elk near an apartment complex in Estes Park, Colorado, triggering an emergency alert from the town.
According to 9News, Estes Park Police and Colorado Parks and Wildlife say officers were dispatched four times throughout Saturday to the 1300 block of Manford Avenue, near the Lone Tree Village Apartments. The attack occurred around 8:39am, when a man startled a cow elk and was charged and injured. He was transported to a local hospital. No additional injuries were reported that day.
The town issued an emergency alert warning residents to avoid an aggressive cow elk and her calves in the area. Officers also responded to separate reports of aggressive elk elsewhere in town. Warning signs have since been posted along the Lake Estes Trail between the parking garage and bird sanctuary, though no trail closures are currently in effect.
Residents of the Lone Tree Village Apartments told 9News that close encounters are a fact of life in Estes Park, but described the weekend as especially intense. Resident Zaqia Brown said a cow elk charged at her as she tried to reach her parked car, forcing her back inside, while resident Raul Arellano said he was chased to his front door with the elk following him the entire way.
Colorado Parks and Wildlife spokesperson Kara Van Hoose said that aggressive cow elk behavior is expected every calving season. Even if you believe you’ve given an elk enough space, it’s a good idea to double or triple it. Calving season in Colorado runs through June. Read more on elk safety in Estes Park below.
Elk Safety in Estes Park:
The Town of Estes Park offers the following guidance for anyone in the area during calving season:
- Elk are wild animals that must be observed from a safe distance. If an animal watches you closely and appears jumpy when you move, you are too close.
- Cow elk are extremely dangerous during calving season and marked calving areas should be avoided entirely.
- Keep pets on a leash and do not allow them to bark at, lunge at, or chase wildlife.
- Never block traffic to watch elk. Pull completely off the roadway before stopping.
- Estes Park Police enforce wildlife laws, including those against feeding or harassing wildlife.
