Mother cows with young calves at their sides are protective, and they will protect them from perceived threats — including people.
Yesterday, a female runner was attacked while on a trail near Superior, Colorado. Another runner came upon 15 to 20 mother cows surrounding the runner on the ground and called 9-1-1.
According to various news outlets, the Boulder County Parks and Open Space rangers responded, and the runner was taken to the hospital. There is no report on the runner’s condition.
After the attack, the Boulder County Parks and Open Space closed the trailhead due to aggressive cattle in the area.
A few hours later, the rancher who leased the field had already moved the herd to a pasture south of the trail without foot traffic access.
The Meadowlark Trails have signs warning other users that cattle are in the area.
Erin Hartnett, one of the rangers who responded to the attack, told The Denver Post, “If they’re in your way — they’re not giving you ground – then back away and don’t continue on your hike.”
In areas where cattle are grazing on multiple-use trails, trail users can avoid unsafe encounters by understanding that cattle will react if aggravated or threatened to defend calves or themselves.
- Don’t attempt to touch livestock or get between a mother cow and her young calf.
- If you encounter an animal acting in an unsafe manner, report the color and ear tag number to park staff.
- If you see a stray calf, leave it alone. The cow is often feeding or watering nearby and will return.
- Keep dogs and other animals on a leash and under control around any grazing animals.
Ultimately, cattle in multiple-use areas allows ranchers to continue to produce beef using land that is not slated or able to be developed or farmed. Ranchers keep open spaces open will helping to maintain topsoil, promoting biodiversity, and protecting wildlife habitat.
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