Rare 'unicorn' elk going viral as Colorado's latest 'celebrity' animal

Nature can be full of surprises and the unexpected and one of Colorado's natural oddities has been going viral online in recent weeks.

Seth Powell, of the @coloradoadventuresco brand, has posted a series of videos providing updates on a 'unicorn' elk that resides in the Estes Park area. The videos show off the odd antler placement of the animal, with one antler seemingly growing out of the center of its head. The footage shared by Powell shows the antler in various phases of shed and growth.

While the elk has another antler that seems fairly normal - despite it's 'unicorn' moniker, the footage begs the question of how the animal is able to spar and otherwise survive as it navigates it's life in the wild.

It's worth noting that the clips have been watched a ton of times, too, including one April 5 clip that's gotten more than nine million views on Instagram.

Watch that clip below:

A follow-up clip posted by Powell captures the elk shortly after antler shedding took place, providing another look at the antler placement near the middle of the elk's head.

Many viewers have asked 'can the issue be fixed?'

In general, Colorado Parks and Wildlife wouldn't intervene unless a situation is preventing an animal from eating or going about it's typical daily life. Despite the odd antler placement, the elk is still able to eat, as seen in Powell's videos.

While the appearance of the elk is certainly uncommon, it's also natural. Antlers can grow in odd places.

So there you have it – a great look at what's perhaps Colorado's 'most recognizable' and most recent 'celebrity' elk.