ESTES PARK, COLORADO – Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) is investigating an incident involving an 8-year-old girl who was attacked by a cow elk on Thursday afternoon in Estes Park. The young girl was riding her bike in a neighborhood at approximately 1 p.m. when the elk charged from about 60 yards away.
The elk managed to catch up to the girl and stomped on her multiple times. She was quickly taken to a nearby hospital for treatment and was released later the same day.
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A wildlife officer who responded to the incident found a cow elk with a young calf in the area. The elk displayed aggressive behavior towards the officer, prompting the use of a non-lethal bean bag round to haze the animal and reduce its aggression. The officer remained on the scene for several hours to monitor the situation. The following day, the officer transported the calf to the CPW Health Lab for care from veterinarians and wildlife specialists.
In response to the attack, CPW has implemented several measures to ensure public safety. Officers will continue to haze cow elk in the area to prevent further interactions with residents. Additionally, signs warning of aggressive elk behavior have been posted, and residents are advised to keep their pets on leashes at all times to avoid potential conflicts with cow elk.
“This is an unusual and unfortunate situation where a young girl was playing outside, far from the calf, and a cow elk became aggressive to protect her newborn,” said Jason Duetsch, Area Wildlife Manager for CPW. “While it is a natural reaction for cow elk to be very defensive during calving season, it is not often they hurt someone, especially a child. We’re happy the girl is recovering from her injuries and wish her continued healing.”
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Understanding and Preventing Elk Attacks
Late spring through early summer marks the calving season for Colorado’s elk population. During this period, cow elk are highly protective of their young and may exhibit aggressive behavior towards people and pets they perceive as threats. The following safety tips can help prevent dangerous encounters with wildlife:
Stay Alert and Maintain Distance: Always be aware of your surroundings when in areas known to have elk populations. Keep a safe distance from all wildlife, especially during calving season.
Observe from Afar: If you encounter a cow elk with a calf, observe them from a distance. Do not approach, as the mother is likely to become defensive.
Keep Pets on Leashes: Ensure pets are on-leash and under control at all times to prevent them from approaching elk or other wildlife.
Respect Wildlife Signs: Pay attention to and respect any signage warning of wildlife activity and aggressive behavior.
Avoid Bike Rides in Elk Areas: During calving season, consider avoiding biking in areas known to be frequented by elk to reduce the risk of surprise encounters.
By understanding these behaviors and taking precautions, we can coexist safely with wildlife while enjoying the great outdoors.
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