Elk euthanized in Jasper after injuring woman in parking lot

Parks Canada monitored an elk for three days following an incident in Jasper National Park before having to euthanize the animal.

In a statement to the Canadian Press, the federal agency said that the female elk knocked down and kicked a woman in the Pyramid Bench trail site parking lot last week.

A friend was able to chase away the animal and the woman was transported to hospital for treatment.

After finding and monitoring the elk for 72 hours, Parks Canada decided to kill it due to the severity of the attack.

Herds of elk are common in and around Jasper, Alta. and a warning is in place for possible aggressive elk in the Pyramid and Patricia beach areas.

However, Parks Canada said that this wasn’t a case of a tourist putting themselves in a bad spot.

The agency says that if you encounter an elk, you should raise your arms or any big object to make yourself appear larger, maintain eye contact and never turn your back or run.

You’re also suggested to climb a tree or keep an object, like a tree or large rock, in between yourself and the elk, while trying to slowly back out of the area.

One thing you’re not supposed to do is play dead.

With files from the Canadian Press.