Below is a news release from the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish.
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish conservation officers have freed a cow elk with a metal stool hanging from her neck in Ruidoso. This is the latest incident in an ongoing saga of Ruidoso elk becoming tangled in lawn furniture. Residents are reminded to avoid feeding wildlife and to secure outdoor furniture to help protect local elk.
Department officers responded to reports of the ornamented cow elk as soon as she was spotted. Tranquilizing or otherwise capturing a wild animal can cause significant stress or injury, so it may not always be the best first option for the animal’s safety. The stool on the elk’s neck was hanging loosely and did not appear to disrupt its eating, drinking, breathing or movement. Therefore, officers responded by giving the elk a chance to free herself from the loose-fitting stool before taking more drastic measures.
After giving her sufficient time and space, the elk had not removed herself from the stool and the risk of tranquilizing was justified. She was spotted with the stool at a Ruidoso residence. Department officers, with the assistance of local authorities, were able to sedate the animal and quickly remove the stool from her neck. She appeared to be in good health after the ordeal and by the following morning was up and walking with her herd — stool-free.
Elk becoming tangled in lawn furniture or other foreign objects has become a recurring issue in Ruidoso. For example, in January 2024, officers captured and removed lawn furniture from three cow elk in the course of one week. Since that time, the number of entanglements has slowed but is still somewhat common in the area. The Department is again encouraging Ruidoso residents to take in loose lawn furniture for the winter with this latest incident. Residents are also asked to refrain from feeding or otherwise encouraging elk to spend time near their homes to reduce the chances that future elk will come in contact with such hazards.
(Photo credit: Ruidoso Police Department/New Mexico Department of Game and Fish)
