In a heartwarming rescue operation in Lake City, Colorado, wildlife officials and a group of climbers joined forces to save a bull elk that had become entangled in a rope at a popular ice climbing area.
The incident unfolded when a group of ice climbers stumbled upon the distressed elk on Friday morning. Quick to respond, a Colorado Parks and Wildlife biologist tranquilized the animal and took measures to protect its eyes during the rescue by covering part of its head with a ski mask.
With the rope removed from the elk's antlers, the challenge remained of safely lowering the 700-pound animal down from the cliff. The climbers who discovered the elk stepped up to assist state wildlife officers in devising a system using two ropes—one under its chest and another along its antlers—to carefully lower it to the base of the route.
Once on level ground, the effects of the tranquilizer were reversed, and after a brief period, the elk regained consciousness and ran off into the snowy canyon. John Livingston, a spokesperson for Colorado Parks and Wildlife, explained that it can take some time for the tranquilizer's effects to wear off, with animals sometimes needing a few moments to fully regain their footing.
The young elk, aged 2 1/2 years, had been trapped overnight and was found fatigued with minor scrapes from its attempts to break free. The rescue operation lasted over two hours, highlighting the dedication of the team in ensuring the elk's safety.
Livingston noted that incidents of elk getting entangled in man-made hazards are not uncommon, with antlers often becoming caught in items such as clotheslines, fencing, and hammocks. The successful rescue of this elk serves as a testament to the collaboration between wildlife officials and compassionate individuals who go above and beyond to protect and assist animals in need.
