EVERGREEN, Colo — Have you ever played soccer with an elk?
Two kids in Colorado can say they have. Viewer Shira Moffatt captured this adorable video of two young boys kicking a soccer ball back and forth with an elk that was hanging out on a ridge above the driveway where the boys were playing.
The video shows the elk curiously kicking at a red ball which then rolls down the ridge and to one of the boys.
The boy throws the ball back up the ridge. The elk immediately runs over the ball and begins sniffing at and attempting to stomp on the ball. It eventually rolls down the hill again, starting the sequence again.
A spokesperson for Colorado Parks and Wildlife said it appears the kids were staying a safe distance from the elk and that they were not harassing the animal since they didn't throw the ball directly at it.
The spokesperson also said the elk was treating the ball as it would small prey, by headbutting and stomping at it as a warning to what is underfoot.
Colorado Parks and Wildlife offers the following tips for coexisting safely with wildlife, like elk:
- Do not feed wildlife! Intentional or inadvertent feeding is the major cause of most wildlife problems. It is illegal in Colorado to feed deer, bighorn sheep, mountain goats, pronghorn and elk.
- Observe animals from a safe distance — safe for you and safe for the animals. You can get a close-up view by using binoculars, a spotting scope, or a camera with a telephoto lens.
- Move slowly and casually, not directly at wildlife. Allow animals to keep you in view and do not surprise them. Avoid eye contact; watch from the corner of your eye.
- Never chase or harass wildlife. Harassment of wildlife is unlawful, and can be extremely harmful.
- Use the animals’ behavior as a guide. Limit the time you spend watching if animals appear to be stressed.
- Animals at rest need to remain at rest. Don't do anything that might make them move.
- Avoid animals that behave unexpectedly or aggressively. They may be ill, injured, or have young nearby.
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