In Estes Park Colorado, Elk attacks in the area over the past week have led to the region’s ‘worst wildlife crisis ever,’ county officials said Friday. An unprovoked elk attack in central Estes Park happened to a woman walking her dog on South St Vrain Avenue and Stanley Avenue on Friday morning. Currently, she is in a medical facility after being knocked down and trampled.

The incident came two days after another rider on a bicycle and one on a Public Works vehicle were attacked, the third and fourth reported cases of wildlife incidents this week. On Monday, an eight-year-old girl riding her bike along a nature trail was attacked, barely escaping. On Tuesday, a four-year-old boy riding in the park with his parents was attacked while sitting on a swing late in the afternoon. It appears all three attacks are connected to protective mother elk with newborn calves on the second day of peak calving season.

‘This has been never before seen,’ said Jason Duetsch, Area Wildlife Manager for Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW). ‘Cow elk are very protective this time of year during the calving season, however I’ve never seen this type of aggressiveness before. Each attack is seemingly an isolated incident, as we have not seen any evidence that it’s a single elk.’

Those attacks have prompted CPW to issue urgent warnings for residents and visitors to avoid outdoor areas. ‘Please stand at a safe distance from the elk, especially if there are calves present,’ said Duetsch. ‘Keep dogs on leashes at all times as a dog may be perceived as a threat to elk and may cause an aggressive response.’ 

This trend, alarming as it may be, illustrates the basic risks inherent in living alongside wildlife. Although elk encounters in Estes Park are fairly common, the assaults highlight the value of respecting the privacy and space of wildlife, and maintaining a watchful eye over children especially during calving season. 

CPW officials are keeping an eye on the developments. They have stepped up patrol in known elk hangouts, encouraging the public to report aggressive elk they encounter.

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