A routine walk to the front door turned into a nightmare over the weekend when a man outside his Estes Park apartment was reportedly stomped by a cow elk and sent to the hospital. Neighbors at the complex said the attack happened right by the entrance, rattling residents and prompting quick action from town crews, who posted warning signs and helped move the elk and her calf to a quieter spot while officials kept watch.
According to the Denver Gazette, the incident happened Saturday near an apartment complex on Manford Avenue, and local TV outlets reported that the elk "stomped" the man just outside his front door. The victim was taken to a hospital with injuries, and warning signs were put up around the complex to keep people back. The Gazette also passed along a simple distance check from wildlife officials: hold your thumb at arm's length and, if the animal is larger than your thumb, you are standing too close.
Calving season puts elk on edge
Per Colorado Parks and Wildlife, late spring into early summer is calving season, when mother elk are on high alert and much more likely to defend their young. "Cow elk with young calves are known to be aggressive," the agency said, explaining that conflicts with people can spike until the calves can stand and move around on their own. CPW urges the public to leave young wildlife alone and to contact wildlife officers if they encounter an aggressive animal.
Neighborhood on watch after attack
Following the stomping, the cow elk and her calf settled into a more secluded area nearby and crews put up more signs to warn people to steer clear, the Denver Gazette reported. Local crews and wildlife officers kept an eye on the scene while residents were told to avoid the area until the animals moved off. Officials had not released any further update on the victim's condition other than that he had been hospitalized.
Staying safe around elk in town
Wildlife officials stress a few basic rules that go a long way in elk country. Keep dogs leashed, give elk plenty of room, and make sure the animals have a clear path to move away instead of feeling trapped. Per Colorado Parks and Wildlife, if an elk shows signs of aggression, you should back away slowly and call CPW or local authorities to report what you saw. Those precautions are especially important in places like Estes Park during calving season, when cow elk and calves may be right up against homes and apartment buildings.
As calving season rolls on, officials are urging residents and visitors to stay alert, respect wildlife space, and report aggressive elk to Colorado Parks and Wildlife so officers can step in and help reduce the risk to people and pets.
