Third attack within 8 days reported in Colorado city

Encounters between the approximately 3,000 moose that call Rocky Mountain National Park and the Estes Park area home and the more than 4 million tourists who visit the park each year are inevitable.

But Colorado wildlife officials are calling the third attack by an elk on a human in Estes Park in eight days “unprecedented.”

The most recent attack occurred early Friday morning (June 7), when an elk attacked an adult woman who was walking her leashed dog near the intersection of South St. Vrain Avenue and Stanley Avenue, according to a new release from Colorado Parks and Wildlife.

The woman apparently frightened a female elk and her calf, which were later spotted nearby. Colorado Parks and Wildlife said the female elk attacked the woman from about 20 yards away. The woman tried to get behind a tree for safety, but the elk tackled her to the ground and stomped and kicked her several times.

The woman received medical treatment, the press release said.

“Elk with young calves are notoriously aggressive, but we have never seen a year like this,” said Jason Duetsch, wildlife manager for Colorado Parks and Wildlife, in a news release. “All three attacks were unprovoked and unfortunate accidents. We have no clear evidence that these attacks came from the same animal, which underscores how unusual this behavior is for elk.”

Colorado Parks and Wildlife spokeswoman Kara Van Hoose told the Coloradoan after the first attack that wildlife would not be euthanized if they were exhibiting normal or natural behavior, such as a cow moose protecting her calf.

The first two elk attacks involved elk kicking children. They occurred on May 30 and June 3.

The last two attacks occurred just blocks apart south of the intersection of US Highway 36 and Colorado Highway 7. It was not reported where the first attack occurred.

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