Residents report goat joining elk herd near Loveland

A domestic goat appears to have joined an elk herd near Loveland, amusing nearby residents and perplexing wildlife officials.

The Loveland Daily Reporter-Herald reports residents of neighborhoods near the Devil’s Backbone west of the city have spotted the little black goat with a bull elk a few times over the past week.

Resident Josiah Engblom says he saw elk and the goat running from coyotes near U.S. Highway 34 over the weekend. He says the goat stayed close to an elk as it confronted the predators.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife spokesman Jason Clay says the animal behavior does not sound typical. He says elk keep to themselves and do not typically mingle with other species.