MAMMOTH HOT SPRINGS, Wyo. — Heads up, visitors to Yellowstone National Park: Elk calving season is underway, leading to more aggressive elk behavior.
Across Wyoming, cow elk will be much more territorial and may run toward individuals. The best way to avoid a conflict is to stay alert, according to the National Park Service.
“Look around corners before exiting buildings or walking around blind spots: cow elk may bed their calves near buildings and under cars,” the park said on its website.
In the case that an elk becomes aggressive, find shelter in a vehicle or behind a tall, sturdy barrier as quickly as possible. Attacks can be unprovoked and unpredictable.
Calving season or not, always keep at least 25 yards (23 m) from elk.
The elk population in Yellowstone is 10,000 to 20,000 animals, dispersed in six to seven different herds. The population across the greater Yellowstone ecosystem is estimated at 30,000 to 40,000 elk.
Elk mate during the rut, which occurs annually in September and October. Cows birth a single calf, usually May through late June, weighing about 30 pounds.
For protection from predators, the calf has a spotted coat and an instinct to lie completely still when danger approaches. Within two weeks the calf is able to keep up with the mother, and both rejoin the herd.
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