A Female Elk Trampled A 4-Year-Old Boy On A Colorado Playground, Marking The Second Time A Child Was Injured By An Elk Attack In Under A Week
On a playground at Estes Park, Colorado, a 4-year-old boy was attacked by a female elk. It is the second time in less than a week that a child was injured due to an elk attack.
According to Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW), the young boy had been playing in a local playground when the animal charged and trampled him around 1:30 in the afternoon.
At the time, several families had been at the playground. They were unaware that two elk calves were hidden nearby.
Suddenly, an adult female elk rushed toward the 4-year-old boy and stomped on him multiple times before a family member was able to scare the elk away. The boy was taken to a hospital and treated for his injuries.
Since the incident, the playground and parts of the Lake Estes Loop trail have been closed for the foreseeable future. Three days earlier, a female elk had charged at an eight-year-old girl who was riding her bike in Estes Park.
The animal chased her down and stomped on her several times. She was also brought to a hospital and was released the same day.
Following the incident, wildlife officials discovered an elk calf in the area. An adult female elk at the site became aggressive toward them. The calf was transported to a laboratory where experts will help care for it.
In the aftermath of both elk attacks, “non-lethal bean bag rounds” were used to scare the adult elks away from public areas. The elk that attacked the girl was not euthanized because it had been acting off survival instincts as an elk mother protecting her calf.
As the calving season continues, CPW is warning both local residents and visitors about the possibility of elk attacks.
Tom – stock.adobe.com – illustrative purposes only, not the actual elk
From late spring to early summer, female elk can become aggressive when defending their babies from potential dangers.
Female elk typically weigh around 500 pounds and measure around 4.5 feet tall. The state of Colorado has over 280,000 elk, making it one of the largest elk populations in the world.
If you encounter an elk, whether in the Rocky Mountains or anywhere else, the National Park Service recommends using the “Rule of Thumb.”
To do so, make a thumbs up with your hand and stretch your arm all the way out. Cover one eye and see if your thumb can hide the animal. You are too close if you can still see the animal.
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