This past weekend was the annual celebration of the elk rut in Estes Park, Colorado. Every year, my family and I take a trip up the mountain to learn more about Rocky Mountain wildlife all while enjoying the scenic views and the majestic, yet haunting bugle of the bull elk during the early days of fall. However, after every single visit, one concerning aspect of mine is the lack of common sense people have towards the wildlife. Many times a gang of elk will be disturbed by a tourist pushing the limits just to get a picture for Instagram or Facebook. This time around, an elderly woman was trampled to the ground by a male elk. Luckily for her, she was left with only bruises on her back.
What stresses me out are two things: one, that people are unaware of not only the harm they are putting themselves in, but the harm they are putting the animal in. Let me put it in simple terms for you... When the animal feels threatened and attacks a human, because that is in their natural instincts, the animal will be euthanized. Secondly, people are suppose to be learning about the rut during Elk Fest, and all people really seem to be doing is taking the information through one hear and throwing it out the other.
I thought I would take the time to explain why it is important to observe wildlife from a far, and in this case, elk, during the rutting season.
Rutting season is no joke. Elk of both sexes will send off an alarming squeal when they are on alert. Most frequently, these squeals will come from young bulls (male elks) who are being run off by the herd bull. Satellite bulls, one without cows (female elk) who is trying to steal the cows from a bull who already has them, frequently spar with one another during the rut. To dumb it down for anyone to understand, I will list exactly what the rut is (provided to you by the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation), along with my own commentary that should really just be common sense to anyone:
The Rut
1. Elk breed in the fall
*so they are competitive... meaning ruthless, aggressive, etc. Stand clear.
2. Bulls gather cows and calves into small groups called harems
*everyone is being competitive, the elk are constantly moving around fighting for one another. Stand clear.
3. Bulls wallow in mud to coat themselves with urine "perfume" to attract cows
*gross and dirty. Stand clear.
4. They also bugle and rub trees, shrubs and the ground with their antlers to attract cows and intimidate other bulls
5. Bulls aggressively guard their harems from other bulls
*And obviously from people, if they get too close or come off as threatening. Stand clear.
6. Sometimes, bulls wage violent battles for a harem, occasionally even fighting to the death
*STAND CLEAR.
Though most tourists have no bad intentions of harming themselves or the animal, with all this being considered, it should be nothing but common sense for anyone to stand clear of wildlife especially when they are in rut. Remember to stand clear, otherwise you are putting your life and the animals life in danger.
