Have You Seen This? Rowdy group of young elk invade swimming hole

What do rambunctious young elk do on hot summer days in Estes Park, Colorado? They head over to the local swimming hole to frolic in the water and harass the ducks.

What do rambunctious young elk do on hot summer days in Estes Park, Colorado? They head over to the local swimming hole to frolic in the water and harass the ducks. (Kris Hazelton, YouTube)


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ESTES PARK, Colorado — These scorching summers days aren't just rough on us. Our forest friends are also struggling. So what do rambunctious young elk do? They head over to the local swimming hole to frolic in the water and harass the ducks.

Running nearly four minutes, this video showcases the universal joy of cool water on a hot day. You can't help but smile as the elk splash and jump and run. Of course, you wouldn't want to be in the water with these giddy animals because you'd likely catch an errant hoof to the head and end up in the emergency room.

Elk hijinks are nothing new in Estes Park, a town in northern Colorado that gets frequent elk visitors due to its proximity to Rocky Mountain National Park. In fact, elk are such a fixture in the area that the town hosts an annual Elk Fest. The event features live music, food and dancing. There's even a bugling contest.

While fun videos like this show the entertaining side of elk encounters, it's important to remember that they can easily turn dangerous. A couple of years ago, a woman in Estes Park was rammed by one of the local elk. She escaped serious injury, but the alarming video highlights the fact that while elk may appear docile, they should never be approached.

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About the Author: Grant Olsen

Grant Olsen joined the KSL.com contributor team in 2012. He covers outdoor adventures, travel, product reviews and other interesting things. He is also the author of the book "Rhino Trouble." To read more of his articles, visit Grant's KSL.com author page.

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Grant Olsen joined the KSL.com contributor team in 2012. He covers outdoor adventures, travel, product reviews and other interesting things. He is also the author of the book “Rhino Trouble.”

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