Steer Clear: Calves Grazing In Walnut Creek's East Bay Regional Parks

WALNUT CREEK, CA — One of the joys for Walnut Creek residents hiking through remote East Bay regional parks is the glimpse of wildlife including deer, birds and bobcats.

Parkgoers may also see domesticated livestock grazing, including cattle. The park district calls conservation grazing an important use of parks, providing an economical solution to managing grasslands. Over 86,800 acres of parkland are grazed annually by cattle, sheep, or goats, mainly during the winter and early spring months.

The East Bay Regional Park District has issued an advisory about the calving season, which runs from August to October. The advisory states that interactions with calves can harm people and grazing animals.

Safety Tips from the Park District

• Do not approach or touch calves.
• Do not take selfies with calves.
• Do not get between a mother and her calf.
• Do not worry if a calf is by itself. The mother cow is usually nearby.
• Leash dogs around cattle and keep them away from calves. (More information about leashing dogs is on the Park District website.)

Parkgoers who've followed all the safety tips but are still concerned that a calf is injured, sick, or otherwise in distress can call the park district at 510-881-1833. Take note of the animal's location, color, and, if available, an ear tag number.