This week, a video of a man throwing coffee at a bull elk has been going viral online, recently posted by KDVR.

The clip was also posted on the Tourons of National Parks Instagram page back in September, said to be captured in Evergreen by a man named Matt Roehl.

In the video, a man is seen attempting to walk through a park space, skirting around an elk that’s lingering on a path. The man appears to be annoyed with the presence of the elk, throwing a cup of coffee at the animal as it charges while also claiming that the animal is making him late for work.

Editor’s Note: The clip included in this article includes profanity, viewer discretion is advised.

While the coffee toss seems to push the elk back, it’s persistent, continuing to guard its space from the man as he keeps trying to pass the animal.

Given the time of year this encounter occurred, it would have been elk rut season. During rut, bull elk can get notably aggressive as they compete for mates. A harem of cow elk can be seen in a distant field, with the bull ultimately opting to trot back in their direction by the end of the clip.

Watch the clip below:

Thankfully, this encounter didn’t turn bloody. Once elk deem someone to be a threat, their response can be brutal and persistent.

It’s likely that many would consider this man’s behavior to be harassment of wildlife, given that he continues to encroach on the animal’s space. The general recommendation is to stay at least 25 yards away from elk. If it’s determined that animal harassment occurred, this can sometimes lead to criminal charges and other penalties in Colorado.

While the general consensus would likely be that the man was in the wrong for creating a situation where throwing an object at an animal was needed to ward the animal off, this move can actually be an effective means of preventing a dangerous encounter.

Throwing an object in the direction of an aggressive mountain lion, for example, is something that wildlife experts recommend in cases where it seems like there’s potential for an attack. Similar hazing tactics can be used to scare off bears and feisty raccoons, as well. That said, in a scenario where this tactic is being used, the object should be tossed in the direction of the animal, not directly at it. It’s also important to toss an object that wouldn’t be dangerous to the animal if it makes contact.

What’s your take on the clip? Let us know in the comments.