Wildlife officials and ice climbers collaborated to free a bull elk entangled in a rope at a Colorado climbing area. The incident highlights the often-necessary rescue efforts involving both human and animal intervention.
Early Friday morning, a group of ice climbers discovered a distressed bull elk, lodged in a rope near a Lake City climbing wall. A Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) biologist tranquilized the roughly 700-pound animal, then carefully secured its head to protect its eyes.
The entanglement was swiftly addressed; after carefully cutting the rope, the large animal presented a logistical challenge. Ice climbers aided CPW officers in rigging a system of ropes, enabling the safe descent of the elk.
"The tranquilizer's effects take time to reverse, sometimes causing the animal to stand unsteadily," explained John Livingston, a CPW spokesman. The 2.5-year-old elk, apparently stuck since the previous evening, was exhausted and had minor scrapes. The rescue effort spanned more than two hours.
Elk entanglements in man-made obstacles, including ropes, fences, and even hammocks, are not uncommon. This incident underscores the importance of awareness and precaution in outdoor environments.
