A cow elk attack reported Friday morning in Colorado is the third in an “unprecedented” string of attacks reported since May 30.

According to Colorado Parks and Wildlife, this attack involved an adult woman who was walking her dog on-leash near South St. Brain Avenue and Stanley Avenue in Estes Park. She accidentally startled the cow elk from about 20 yards away. The woman tried to run behind a tree to escape the elk, but it knocked her to the ground and stomped and kicked her several times. She was forced to seek medical treatment.

The other two attacks involved elk stomping children, with both of them going to the hospital as a result. One of the children was riding a bike when the attack occurred, the other took place at a playground.

“Cow elk with young calves are known to be aggressive, however we’ve never seen a year like this,” said Jason Duetsch, CPW Area Wildlife Manager. “All three attacks have been unprovoked and unfortunate accidents. We have no clear evidence to suggest these attacks were from the same animal, which underscores how uncommon the elk behavior has been.”

While elk aren’t necessarily known for their aggression, attacks on humans by cow elk become more common during the spring when elk can become defensive over their newborn young. And don’t be fooled if you don’t spot a younger elk by its mother – cow elk will often hide young in tall grass.

The best way to prevent an elk attack is to keep your distance. If an elk seems overly interested in you or is displaying aggressive behavior, leave the scene immediately. Being highly aware of your surroundings is also beneficial. Elk can tend to go unnoticed when in rocky, shadowed, or wooded areas.