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‘Unprecedented’ series of moose attacks near Rocky Mountain National Park triggers warnings

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Estes Park, a small town at the gateway to Rocky Mountain National Park, has been attacked by the large mammals three times since May 30. The most recent incident occurred Friday morning, prompting Colorado Parks & Wildlife (CPW) officials to issue a renewed warning to residents and visitors.

The rapid succession of moose attacks is “unprecedented,” officials said, and is likely the result of calving season, when cow moose are more likely to attack and hunt their newborns if they pose a threat to them. This period typically lasts from late spring to early summer for moose and deer.

“Elk with young calves are notoriously aggressive, but we have never seen a year like this,” said Jason Duetsch, CPW Area Wildlife Manager. “All three attacks were unprovoked and unfortunate accidents. We have no clear evidence that these attacks were committed by the same animal, which underscores how unusual this behavior is for elk.”

3 moose attacks

According to Colorado authorities, moose attacked three people in Estes Park within 8 days. Here’s the breakdown:

  • Thursday, May 30: An 8-year-old girl was riding her bike through her family’s neighborhood around 1 p.m. when a female moose attacked her from 55 yards away. The female moose kicked her multiple times, park officials said in the news release. She was taken to a nearby hospital for treatment and released later that day. A game warden later found the female moose and her young calf. When the female moose became aggressive, the officer fired a non-lethal beanbag projectile. “The female moose’s aggressive behavior subsided,” officials said. The officer then remained on scene for several hours to monitor the situation.
  • Monday, June 3: Just days later, an elk attacked a 4-year-old boy at a playground around 1:30 p.m. Families using the playground were unaware that two elk calves were hiding nearby, park officials said. That’s likely why another elk suddenly charged at the boy, trampling him several times. A family member chased the animal away and took the boy to the hospital. Officers treated him and released him the same day. Again, a CPW officer fired beanbag rounds to force the elk to leave the area. The attack led to the “indefinite” closure of the playground and portions of the Lake Estes Loop Trail.
  • Friday, June 7: This time, a woman was walking her dog (on a leash) through town when she startled a cow moose about 20 yards away, officials said. She tried to run behind a tree, but the moose knocked her to the ground and stomped and kicked her multiple times. She is seeking medical attention. People later discovered the cow’s calf nearby.
Elk in Rocky Mountain National Park
A herd of elk crosses Trail Ridge Road in Rocky Mountain National Park in 2022; (Photo/Shutterstock)

Officials urge caution

Because the attacks often occur during calving season, authorities are urging Colorado residents to be extra cautious, reminding residents to leave young deer alone, keep dogs on a leash and “stay out of the way of moose.”

But the risks of calving season are not limited to moose – or Estes Park.

On Saturday, a pregnant woman in Colorado Springs went outside and saw an aggressive doe trampling her dogs in a fenced yard. When she tried to intervene, the doe attacked her instead, a news release said.

Her father tried to scare the deer away with non-lethal rubber bullets, but the deer continued to attack her, so her father shot it with lethal ammunition.

“Thankfully, no one was injured,” said Tim Kroening, CPW’s area wildlife manager for the Pikes Peak region. “This incident is a reminder to be aware of wildlife and keep a watchful eye on your children and pets.”

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