By Emma Pilger, Steamboat Pilot and Daily
When an elk got stuck in a snowy gully on a Steamboat Springs resident’s property Thursday, neighbors were prepared to come from miles around to help — but a ranger with Colorado Parks and Wildlife advised them to let nature take its course.
“It’s very tough to see. We’re all humans,” said Rachael Gonzales, the CPW Northwest Region Public Information Officer. “When we see an animal in a bad situation, we all want to help. The reality is, sometimes we could be doing that animal more harm by trying to help it.”
Millie Freed, the Steamboat Springs resident who conducted the rescue mission, came home to an elk walking through her property on Thursday morning and snapped a photo, admiring the beauty. But when Freed walked away, the elk got startled and ran into a gully full of snow.
“I could tell (the elk) was struggling to get through the snow,” said Freed. “But I thought, ‘They’re elk, they deal with this all the time. I’m sure she’ll be okay.’”
Read more at steamboatpilot.com.
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