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2 Elk Rescued, 1 Dies In Icy Pond Near Aspen

ASPEN, Colo. (AP) - Responders have rescued two elk that fell through the ice of a pond near a Colorado resort town, but a third elk didn't survive.

A homeowner discovered the animals in the pond near Aspen on Monday morning. Firefighters worked with Colorado wildlife officers to cut a channel in the ice leading the shore and pull them out.

Elk rescue from Pitkin Co SO 3 elk in pond
The scene Monday morning (credit: Pitkin County Sheriff's Office)

Pitkin County Sheriff's Office spokesman Alex Burchetta says the elk were in the frigid water for at least an hour and a half, and the two survivors were very tired by the time they got out.

Temperatures were in the 20s during the rescue.

(© Copyright 2015 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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