Elk submerged in old cistern rescued

COLORADO -- A yearling elk was rescued Thursday after it was found trapped in a old cistern full of water. It was about 20 feet deep according to Golden Police and the animal was submerged with only its head and nose out of the water.

Animal Management Officer Segal initially received a call about a deer trapped in well but when he arrived he realized it was actually an elk.

A dad and four children were in the area assisted Animal Management Officer Segal as he worked to free the elk. The men used a 2x6 board to raise the elk's front legs and then slip a rope around its chest.

The elk did not resist according to police, possibly because he was in shock or too tired. AM Officer Segal grabbed the elk by its fur and pulled the elk's front legs out of the well. AM Officer Segal and the dad held onto the elk while the children used the 2x6 to lift the rear of the elk.

Once pulled from the cistern, the elk was cold, wet, shivering and tired. AM Officer Segal and the others covered up the cistern as best they could and then covered the elk with a tarp and left it to rest and warm up. Friday morning AM Officer Segal returned to the area to check on the elk, he found the tarp but the elk was gone.

(9News - Nov 20, 2015)