A Yellowstone National Park concession employee is recovering Wednesday after she was injured by a cow elk at Mammoth Hot Springs.
A spokeswoman for Yellowstone National Park, Linda Veress, said the incident took place in the developed area of Mammoth at 6:30 a.m. Wednesday.
The woman was taken to a local hospital by an ambulance, but a park spokesperson declined to comment on her injuries or condition.
Park officials advise visitors to stay 25 yards away from bison and elk, as elk calves are often bedded near buildings and vehicles.
“This time of year folks need to stay alert,” said Veress. “Cow elk may charge or kick.”
Veress also advises visitors to look around corners as they are walking. She also said employees are trained and provided with an orientation at the beginning of the season. Additionally, Yellowstone National Park puts out internal safety messages as well.
Wildlife biologists hazed the cow elk out of the area where it was reunited with its calf.
Story by Andrea Lutz, MTN News
Edited 4:50 p.m. MDT, 5/29/2019 – An earlier version of this story stated that park officials advise visitors to stay 20 feet from elk; it has been corrected to say 25 yards.
