News Release

Person Seriously Injured By Elk

Date: June 4, 2018
Contact: Morgan Warthin, [phone]

• Charlene Triplett, age 51, from Las Vegas, Nevada, was attacked by a cow elk behind the Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel on Sunday, June 3.
• The elk was protecting a calf bedded down roughly 20 feet away and hidden by other cars. It’s not known if Ms. Triplett saw the calf or the elk prior to the encounter.
• The elk reportedly reared up and kicked Ms. Triplett multiple times with its front legs, hitting her head, torso, and back.
• Due to the severity of her injuries, Ms. Triplett was flown to the trauma center at Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center.
• At the time of the incident Ms. Triplett was off-duty. She is an employee at the Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel.
• Rangers remained in the area to warn others about the elk and calf. No citation was issued.
• Use caution around elk, especially during calving season: always remain at least 25 yards (23 meters) away from these animals.