IOWA CITY, Iowa (KCRG) — A Johnson County Sheriff’s Office deputy was in for a big surprise this past week. KCRG reports that wWhile on a route early Monday morning (Sept. 9th), the deputy happened upon an elk running down Shannon Drive near West High School in Iowa City. In a Facebook post, the sheriff’s office says the elk has been spotted at other locations in Iowa City.

Screenshot from Johnson County S/O in-car video of an Elk

According to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, elk were native to Iowa but left as the state was settled. DNR officials estimate less than 10 are in the state. Elk is also a protected species in Iowa and cannot be hunted.