Aggressive elk hurts woman in Jasper National Park

Craig Gilbert | [email protected]

The woman was knocked down and kicked by the elk in a parking lot adjacent to the Pyramid Bench, according to Parks Canada. Parks personnel and paramedics attended to her before she was taken to hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

“Parks Canada staff located the animal involved in the incident and monitored its behaviour afterward,” JNP spokesperson Steve Young said. “Parks Canada humanely killed the elk to ensure visitor safety three days later. This decision was made taking into consideration the severity of the attack combined with the proximity to people after the animal joined up with the townsite herd on the weekend.”

A warning remains in place for possible aggressive elk for the Pyramid and Patricia beach areas.

Two videos circulated online in recent weeks depicting individuals being chased away after getting with a few metres of aggressive bull elk generated strong reactions from social media users.

Parks says the rut has begun.

“Though they might not appear threatening, elk can be aggressive and attack without warning. During the fall mating season from now through mid-October, male elk are particularly belligerent. Herds of elk are common in and around Jasper as they use the townsite to escape from natural predators on the landscape.”

To minimize the potential of incidents with a bull elk, you should:

• Keep at least 30 metres away from all elk and never get between a male and the females. Bull elk become extremely aggressive protecting their harems during the mating season.
• Do not park your vehicle between a male and the females; elk may charge at your vehicle, which may result in damage.
• Keep your dog on leash at all times. An unleashed dog may prompt an elk to become aggressive as they view the dog as a predator (wolf or coyote).
• Watch for elk at all times and detour around them.
• If possible, walk around elk on the high side of a slope or up-hill.
• Carry pepper spray, a walking stick or an umbrella as protection.

• Raise your arms or any big object (jacket or umbrella) to make yourself appear larger, maintain eye contact, and never turn your back or run. Climb a tree or keep an object, like a tree or large rock, between you and the elk. Back slowly out of the area. Warn other hikers of an elk ahead and report the incident immediately to Jasper Dispatch at 780-852-6155.
• If you are knocked down or fall, get up and try to move to cover or use an object to protect yourself.
• DO NOT PLAY DEAD.