EVERGREEN, Colo. — Calving season is underway at Evergreen Lake, where multiple cows have given birth in the past week, and it's creating a dangerous situation on the path near the lake.
Female elk are highly protective of their young and can become aggressive toward people or other animals who gets too close. Volunteer “elk watchers” said a dog broke a leg after being charged by an elk on Memorial Day.
“She is very protective and defensive,” said Betsy Hoke. “It’s just instinctive, just like we protect our children.”
Hoke and a group of about 20 volunteers have tried to warn people to stay back, but not everyone listens to the advice, she said.
The issues stem from a certain part of the lake with small islands where mother elk leave their young hidden near the shore while they forage for food. The area is close to the path that circles the lake, and the proximity leads to altercations.
“They see dogs like coyotes or wolves,” Hoke said. “Wild animals need space, and when they’re protecting their young, they really need space.”
People need to be especially cautious until the calves are older, at which point the cows will become less nervous about their well-being, Hoke said.
Additional volunteers are needed for two-hour shifts, which mostly take place on weekends.
If you’d like to sign up for a shift, you can do so at this link.
> The video below shows elk charging people near the lake:
More 9NEWS coverage of wildlife:
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