There are some angry mommas kickin’ around town and, if you know what’s good for you, you’ll avoid getting between them and their offspring.
There’s just no telling what they’ll do if you get too close—but one thing’s for sure, they’ll give you a good scare, if not a few wounds.
So, take a step back and give a girl some room, it’s calving season and emotions are running on high.
In the next month and a half—beginning mid-May—Jasper’s cow elk will deliver their adorable, itty bitty babies, filling the park with cute Bambi-like creatures bounding around on their wobbly stick-thin legs.
Although a beautiful image, the truth is, calving season is a dangerous time.
Right now, cows are all hopped up on hormones and ready to trample anyone who dares get close to their defenseless newborns.
You see, it takes calves two weeks to join the herd and they spend much of that time vulnerable to predation. So their mothers are on high alert, standing on constant guard.
When born, calves are scentless, so cows leave them in a bush or next to a rock where they are camouflaged and then graze a distance away, while watching for predators.
If a person crosses between the mother and its baby, chances are the cow will become aggressive, grinding its teeth and staring and quite possibly charging.
This could happen at any time. You could be running down a trail, biking, hiking or even camping at one of the park’s campgrounds. Elk are everywhere.
That’s why it’s so important that all trail users and park visitors know what to do in the case of an encounter.
So, here are some quick tips to reduce the chances of some baby momma drama on your next outdoor adventure.
First, if you stumble upon an elk while travelling with kids, keep them within arms length and be sure to give the cow some space—preferably no less than 30 metres.
Second, just like with a bear, act dominant, making yourself as large as possible, raising your arms and flapping your jacket.
Third, find protection, whether its a tree or a car, it’s important to put a barrier between yourself and the animal.
And finally, never turn and run away. Maintain eye contact and move away slowly. If you get knocked down, get up and continue moving. Never play dead.
Parks also asks that you report any aggressive encounters by calling 780-852-6155.
