VIDEO: Dozens Of Elk Run From Wildfire In Estes Park

ESTES PARK, Colo. (CBS4) – A herd of elk was seen in Colorado running from the wildfire that broke out in Estes Park Tuesday morning. Eric Harrington shared the video on Twitter near the Kruger Rock Fire.

Harrington said he captured the video from the Mary's Lake area of the tourist town at the gateway of Rocky Mountain National Park.

"The vast majority of wildlife is able to easily move out of the fire's path to safety -- for the most part they can hear and smell fire coming -- but it is possible some animals may be injured or killed in fires," CPW Officer Jason Clay told CBS. "Wild animals do have great survival instincts. Fire is natural and they have evolved with fire."

Colorado Parks and Wildlife studied the movement of elk in the Poudre Canyon/Red Feather Lakes area during the Cameron Peak Fire in 2020. CPW had 30 elk with GPS satellite collars on in the burn area.

"They know when it's not safe and they get out of there," wildlife biologist Angelique Curtis stated. "They don't generally run too far."

The fire that broke out Tuesday has been named the Kruger Rock Fire. Mandatory evacuations were ordered for some homes and businesses.

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