Footage captured the scary moment an elk roaming through a Colorado park launched at a bystander, knocking him to the ground with its antlers after he was warned to get out of its way.

On Sunday Eric Burley, who was visiting the northern Colorado town of Estes Park, witnessed a herd of elk gather peacefully inside of Bond Park until a bull elk approached the alpha elk who was defending his harem, USA Today reported.

Burley, who was traveling from Denver, said he knew that that was his cue to back off.

The video which has been termed abusive have been removed from TikTok.

The man who walked within feet of a bull elk as the animal stood guard over its harem was toppled by the animal in a scary incident captured on video.

The accompanying footage, shows the elk flipping the man head over heels after a series of warnings issued by Burley.

Burley, who lives in Denver, said the man was not seriously injured. The footage shows passersby helping him to his feet, placing themselves in danger.

“The two male elks made eye contact and started showing teeth,” Burley told FTW Outdoors. “That’s when I knew to clear a path between the two and let mother nature take its course.

“However the person thought it would be wise to walk right in front of one of the male elks. This person also didn’t listen to my commands to watch out and that’s when the person got attacked.”

Viewers can hear Burley’s warnings at 1:18. “Sir, watch out, watch out!” he says, as the man seems intent on walking directly past the elk. The man is knocked over the wall, onto his head and shoulders, at 1:40.

“The person seemed fine, thankfully, but the message here is to respect the space of wildlife and to use common sense,” said Burley.