A man had a close call at Estes Park recently when he strayed into a personal space of an impressive bull elk during the rut, narrowly avoiding a faceful of antler. The man seems completely oblivious to the animal as he wanders within feet of the animal, which bluff charges to move him aside.
The incident was captured on camera by a passer-by, and the resulting video (which you can watch below) was posted on Instagram account TouronsOfYellowstone, which highlights examples of bad behavior at US National Parks and other sites of natural beauty.
Estes Park, near Rocky Mountain National Park, is well known for its population of wild elk, and a popular destination for visitors who want to see the animals as their most majestic. The town even holds an annual festival during the elk rut (aptly named Elk Fest), with live music, performances, and even bugling contests.
This year's festival of 'all things elk' takes place on October 1-2, when the animals are easily seen wandering through town, but visitors are warned to treat the animals with respect.
"Remember elk are wild animals," says local tourism site Visit Estes Park. "Always keep a safe distance, especially from the males (bulls), which can be aggressive as they defend their females (cows) from other bulls at this time of year. Give them room – use your zoom!"
For more advice, see our guide how to enjoy elk rutting season safely.
