Elk wandering Colorado for two years with tyre around neck is freed (www.bbc.com)

An elk roaming the hills of the US state of Colorado with a tyre around its neck for two years has finally been freed, wildlife officials say.

The four-and-a-half-year-old bull elk had to be tranquilized and have its antlers removed, Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) officers said.

It was the fourth attempt officers had made within a week to free the elk.

“It was tight removing it,” said Scott Murdoch, adding the elk’s neck had a small wound and was missing some hair.

Wildlife officers in the US state of Colorado say the elk is in good shape after removing its antlers.