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GRAND COUNTY — A sheepherder is lucky to be alive after being gored by an elk.
Hugo Macha was tending his sheep in the La Sal Mountains when a bull elk entered the meadow. Macha decided to get out of the elk's way, but when he started running, the elk took chase and gored the man.
The elk left three holes in the man's chest.
Macha's friend went for help, but he had to hike almost five miles before finding Division of Wildlife Resources officers who were relocating Rocky Mountain goats into the area.
Sgt. Ben Wolford of the DWR said Macha's friend only spoke Spanish and at first the DWR officers though the friend was saying he shot an elk. It took some time before the true story was understood.
Help arrived for Macha the next day, 12 hours after he was gored.
"He was very tired and in rough condition," Wolford said. "He didn't have anything to drink and he was in a lot of pain."
Macha's wounds were too painful to allow him sit or lie down.
"He stood up all night so he wouldn't hurt," Wolford said.
Macha was given first aid by officers who also called a medical helicopter. Wolford said that Macha's bleeding had stopped by the time help arrived, but that his prior EMT training suggested that one of Macha's lungs had been damaged based on the bubbling coming out of the wound on Macha's back.
Macha is in stable condition recovering from his injuries, but Wolford said that Macha is lucky to be alive.
Wolford said that this is the first time he's heard of an elk goring someone. He said that there are certain times of year where elk are especially territorial, and he believes that was the reason Macha was charged by the elk.
Wolford advised anyone who spends time in the wild to be cognizant of their area and stay vigilant as any wild animal, not just elk, can pose a threat.
Top photo credit: Associated Press
