A tourist was gored by a bull elk in Estes Park, Colorado, on Sunday while filming聽video footage within a group of elk cows, according to Jennifer Churchill, the public information officer for the northeast region of聽Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW).聽Churchill聽told 翱耻迟蝉颈诲别听on Wednesday聽that the man was treated and released later that evening but could still face charges.
According to Churchill, the man was injured when the bull came at him from behind, gored him with its antlers, and knocked him to the ground. CPW workers are examining the man鈥檚 footage聽to decide whether to fine him $100 for harassment of the animal. Churchill told聽翱耻迟蝉颈诲别听that getting close to the animals is 鈥渢otally inappropriate and unsafe.鈥
Sunday鈥檚 incident is only the most recent example of humans injured by animals while attempting to take footage of or with wildlife at an unsafe distance. One woman was injured by a bison in Yellowstone National Park聽in July while attempting to take a selfie.聽Waterton Canyon, south of Denver, Colorado, was closed to the public at the end of August, partially due to the number of visitors attempting to take 鈥渂ear selfies,鈥 .
Despite recent headlines, Churchill said聽she has not seen an increase of injuries in聽her region. 鈥淧eople are always the same level of stupid with animals,鈥 she said.
If an animal attacks, CPW must decide whether to euthanize聽it. The animal in Sunday鈥檚 incident will not be put down since the elk could not be identified聽after a聽12-hour delay in notifying CPW of the incident.