Wild scene filmed in Estes Park, Colorado yesterday evening showing just how chaotic the autumn elk rut can get.
According to the person who filmed the encounter, a large herd bull was struggling to keep his group of cow elk together. It was at least the third time he had tried to stop them from wandering across a nearby road. In an effort to drive off a younger, satellite bull that kept trying to intrude on his harem, the herd bull inadvertently spooked several cows into oncoming traffic. The cows turned back toward the herd, but the young bull was still being chased and ended up crossing the road anyway. One car did not come to a complete stop in time, and the young bull made contact with the vehicle’s side as it passed.
Fortunately, neither the elk nor the car’s occupants appeared to be hurt. Moments later, the herd bull finally pushed the young bull past the roadway, and a second car had to brake hard to avoid hitting more elk crossing behind them. Local police were called on the non-emergency line and sent a patrol car to use its lights to help clear the animals from the road.
This kind of scene is common in Estes Park each fall, when elk rut season runs roughly from early September through mid-October. Bull elk become highly focused on gathering and defending cows, often paying little attention to traffic, and herds frequently move across roads in town and near Rocky Mountain National Park.
Wildlife officials urge drivers to slow down in known elk areas, especially at dawn and dusk, and to give herds plenty of space — at least 25 yards is recommended. Never approach elk on foot, don’t try to move them along, and if elk are on the road, stop well back and wait for them to pass rather than trying to weave through.
Estes Park Elk Safety
Elk viewing is best from a safe distance Each September and October, thousands of visitors are drawn to Estes Park to watch herds of elk gather in the valley for their mating season, or‚ rut. With this popular activity comes the responsibility for everyone to be safe and respect these majestic animals. During the rut, the male‚ or bull, elk are irritable, aggressive and extremely dangerous to onlookers who get too close. The Police Department provides the following tips to visitors for 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 one’s pet to harass wildlife.
