A young spike elk is finally free to frolic in the forest after limping around Colorado for who knows how long with a discarded tin can stuck on its front, left hoof.
Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) tweeted a couple of photos of the animal on October 1, 2020, at the Evergreen Golf Course, about 30 minutes west of Denver. The following day, Officer Joe Nicholson took action. He caught up with the elk, tranquilized it, removed the can and the animal slowly woke up and eventually wandered off into the woods.
Nice job Officer Nicholson!
CPW urges everyone to avoid littering and keep all land, public and private alike, free of hammocks, netting and any debris that may cause harm to wildlife.
(Photo source: Colorado Parks and Wildlife)