Elk Standoff on Colorado Roadway: Video Footage
In the picturesque town of Estes Park, Colorado, a video of a breathtaking bull elk brawl has recently resurfaced on social media, causing feelings of amazement and terror among viewers. This incredible display of nature's raw power offers a unique insight into the life cycle of these majestic creatures and the fall mating season, known as the Rut.
Elk, a common sight in Estes Park, follow a distinct antler growth cycle. Typically, elk shed their antlers in early spring, around March, and immediately begin growing new ones covered in velvet, a soft, blood-rich tissue that nourishes the developing antlers. By early August, hormone changes cause the velvet to dry and be shed, leaving hardened antlers ready for use.
The growth cycle of elk antlers can be broken down as follows:
- March: Shedding old antlers.
- Spring to early summer: New antlers grow under velvet.
- August: Velvet is shed, revealing fully grown antlers.
During the fall Rut, which occurs after their antlers have fully hardened in late summer or early fall, bull elk use their antlers for fighting to establish dominance and breeding rights. These fights help determine territory and control during the mating season.
Interestingly, antler shedding is linked to hormonal changes governed by daylight. Increasing daylight and decreasing testosterone in spring cause antler drop, while decreasing daylight and increasing testosterone in late summer lead to velvet shedding and antler hardening.
The video of the bull elk brawl was likely recorded last fall, with the bulls sporting their fully hardened antlers. The fight occurred on the side of the road in Estes Park, showcasing the close encounters with wildlife that the town is known for.
While fights between bulls, like the one in the video, typically occur in September and October during the Rut, most bulls are currently still sporting velvet and are focused on food, not fights. New antlers grow back for bull elk within a few weeks, initially covered in a fuzzy tissue called "velvet".
Estes Park is home to various wildlife, including moose, mule deer, bighorn sheep, black bears, mountain lions, and elk. Visitors to the town can enjoy the opportunity to witness these incredible creatures in their natural habitat, making it a popular destination for nature lovers.
[1] National Geographic: Elk Antlers [2] University of California, Davis: Elk Antler Cycle [3] Rocky Mountain National Park: Elk
- Given the antler growth cycle of elk, it's possible that the bull elk in the viral video were fighting during the fall Rut, as their antlers were fully hardened.
- This fall, visitors to Estes Park might witness bull elk engaging in fights, as their antlers will be ready for use after shedding the velvet covering in early August, a spectacle often associated with sports-like displays of power.
