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bigtree

(85,986 posts)
Mon Oct 11, 2021, 09:24 PM Oct 2021

Elk sheds 35 pounds of human garbage

PINE, Colo. (AP) — Wildlife officials in Colorado say an elusive elk that has been wandering the hills with a car tire around its neck for at least two years has finally been freed of the obstruction.

The 4 1/2-year-old, 600-pound (270-kilogram) bull elk was spotted near Pine Junction, southwest of Denver, on Saturday evening and tranquilized, according to Colorado Parks and Wildlife. Officers with the agency had to cut off the elk’s five-point antlers to remove the encumbrance because they couldn’t slice through the steel in the bead of the tire.

“We would have preferred to cut the tire and leave the antlers for his rutting activity, but the situation was dynamic and we had to just get the tire off in any way possible,” officer Scott Murdoch said.

Murdoch and fellow officer Dawson Swanson estimated the elk shed about 35 pounds (16 kilograms) with the removal of the tire, the antlers and debris inside the tire.


read more: https://apnews.com/article/denver-colorado-wildlife-ba4d66564cbfefcfc22070b2d158ac54


This undated photo provided by Colorado Parks and Wildlife shows an elusive elk that has been wandering the hills with a car tire around its neck for at least two years that has now finally been freed of the tire. The 4 1/2-year-old, 600-pound (272-kilogram) bull elk was spotted near Pine Junction southwest of Denver on Saturday, Oct. 9, 2021, and tranquilized, according to Colorado Parks and Wildlife. CPW officers had to cut the elk’s five-point antlers off to remove the encumbrance because they couldn’t cut through the steel in the bead of the tire. (Colorado Parks and Wildlife via AP)

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Elk sheds 35 pounds of human garbage (Original Post) bigtree Oct 2021 OP
Top 10 bolt cutters Tetrachloride Oct 2021 #1
Will he be okay without his antlers? Demobrat Oct 2021 #2
If he does not challenge another male Submariner Oct 2021 #3
What kind of asshole I_UndergroundPanther Oct 2021 #4
Couldn't they cut the tire rather than it's antlers? Bristlecone Oct 2021 #5
Quote from the article... Hekate Oct 2021 #7
Thanks. Sorry. I only read the pic caption Bristlecone Oct 2021 #9
And exactly how is anyone certain this was not just a fashion statement? Maraya1969 Oct 2021 #6
touche Shellback Squid Oct 2021 #8

Demobrat

(8,970 posts)
2. Will he be okay without his antlers?
Mon Oct 11, 2021, 10:08 PM
Oct 2021

More vulnerable to predators like wolves?

Sorry if this sounds stupid, I’m a city girl.

Submariner

(12,503 posts)
3. If he does not challenge another male
Mon Oct 11, 2021, 10:28 PM
Oct 2021

during this autumn’s rut, it should be safe. But this guy may still have elevated testosterone levels and the urge to butt heads, but now with no defense.

A healthy male elk can generally outrun a wolf, that will usually take down the slowest animal, usually the oldest, or a fawn born late in the season.

Hekate

(90,644 posts)
7. Quote from the article...
Mon Oct 11, 2021, 11:30 PM
Oct 2021
CPW officers had to cut the elk’s five-point antlers off to remove the encumbrance because they couldn’t cut through the steel in the bead of the tire. (Colorado Parks and Wildlife via AP)
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