Curious elk spotted people-watching in Colorado town. But don’t pet it, officials warn
A curious cow elk has been getting comfortable in a Colorado town — and it’s not a good thing for the animal or people, wildlife officials said.
The female elk has been seen wandering the streets of downtown Estes Park and checking out the stores, Colorado Parks and Wildlife said in a July 16 Facebook post.
Jessica Smith shared a photo on Facebook of the animal sticking its head out of a skateboard shop called Lithium. She told McClatchy News her 18-year-old son, Hunter Smith, encountered the animal and took a photo.
Her son was on his lunch break when he tried going into the shop to buy something, but the animal blocked the entrance.
“(The elk) waited in the doorway like that just watching people for 10 minutes,” she said.
Smith and her son both live and work in Estes Park where she said it’s not uncommon for wildlife to roam into stores.
“Luckily it wasn’t a bull. That’s happened before,” she said.
Bulls are male elks that can weigh hundreds of pounds more than female elk. They also have antlers.
Even though it’s common to see wildlife in this area, officials advised store owners to close their doors to keep the animals outside. They also asked the public to keep a distance from the animal.
“Even though this elk appears habituated around people it is still a WILD elk and it’s behavior can be unpredictable. Do not attempt to pet or feed the elk,” officials said in the post.
Anyone seen petting or feeding the animal can be reported to Colorado Parks and Wildlife or the Estes Park Police Department.
The wildlife agency did not immediately respond to McClatchy News’ request for more information on July 17.
Estes Park is about 70 miles northwest of Denver, near Rocky Mountain National Park.
This story was originally published July 17, 2023 at 4:00 PM with the headline "Curious elk spotted people-watching in Colorado town. But don’t pet it, officials warn."
