Visitors heading to Yellowstone should be on the lookout for bull elk, according to park officials.
While visiting Yellowstone National Park, it is understandable for tourists to want to get up-close and personal to these majestic wildlife creatures. However, it is actions like these that put both the animal and person at risk.
National Park officials have warned that male bull elk have become quite aggressive and unpredictable recently, especially during mating season. There have been documented cases of severe injuries to people due to these aggressive behaviors.
According to a statement by the NPS, “Bull elk are unpredictable and much more aggressive during this time of year and people have been severely injured,” they wrote. “Elk run quickly and may change direction without warning. Attacks can be unprovoked and unpredictable.”
Park Officials have released an official “guideline” to keep travelers safe:
- Always keep the length of two full-sized buses between you and an elk.
- If an elk begins to close that distance, back away immediately.
- When taking photos of elk, do not pursue them, but instead use your zoom lens.
If the worst case scenario occurs and you are being charged at by an elk, you should:
- Seek shelter as soon as possible, either in your vehicle or behind a tall, sturdy barrier.
- If shelter is unavailable, run away.
With nearly 20,000 elk roaming the Yellowstone park, the odds of seeing them are extremely high. After all, we are the ones invading their territory. They were here first. During mating season, which lasts from September to October, bull elk become especially aggressive. They stand about 5-feet high and can weigh up to 700 pounds, making them a force of nature.
Capturing photos and videos of majrestic wildlife can be one of the greatest things about traveling into nature in the United States. However, it always helps to be extra vigilant especially during mating season.
