Elk roaming with tyre around neck for two years has object removed

An elk that has been wandering with a car tyre around its neck for at least two years (Colorado Parks and Wildlife via AP)

An elusive elk that has been wandering the hills in Colorado with a car tyre around its neck for at least two years has finally been freed of the obstruction, wildlife officials said.

The four-and-a-half-year-old, 600lb (270kg) bull elk was spotted near Pine Junction, south-west of Denver, on Saturday evening and tranquilised, according to Colorado Parks and Wildlife.