Calving Season in Full Swing for Elk in Estes Park

Just another day in Estes Park, Colorado. A place famous for having wildlife meandering around town surely has had other days like this in the past, but this one was particularly odd as the town of Estes Park had to actually send an alert to its residents over an elk.

Saturday morning, police responded to a multiple calls for an aggressive cow elk trying to protect her newborn, and even one call for an elk attack around the same area. A man accidentally startled the elk and ended up being transported to a hospital after she charged and attacked him.

READ MORE: Elk Spotted On Camera Walking Into A Shop Downtown Estes Park

While not terribly common for elk to attack and injure people, this time of year authorities ask for people to be mindful of the fact it's calving season, and that through June there are many cow elk around town protecting their newborn calves.

They say when going out doors or walking around outside, be aware of your surroundings because you never know who's around the corner or whether or not she has a newborn she's looking after.

It's a good rule of thumb regardless of the season to give all elk a wide perimeter when encountering them around town. Oftentimes tourists who don't know any better get a little too close.

The National Park Service recommends staying at least 75 feet - or the length of two school buses - away from any elk you encounter in the wild, or in the middle of town in this case.