A little black goat appears to have joined an elk herd near the Devil’s Backbone, causing wonderment and a bunch of photo snapping among residents in the area.

People who have seen the bull elk and the little black goat a few times over the past week said the goat hangs out and runs with the herd, traveling from spot to spot along U.S. 34, Glade Road and in the neighborhoods on the west side of the Backbone.

“We are convinced he thinks he’s an elk,” said resident Lisa Bounds. “It’s hilarious.”

And, according to resident Josiah Engblom, the much-smaller animal stuck very close to one of his friends when he was threatened by a few coyotes. Engblom said he saw the elk and the goat bounding through a field on the south side of U.S. 34 on Saturday morning with coyotes in chase.

“They did an about-face,” said Engblom. “The elk stood up on his hind legs, boxing up. The goat was right next to the elk for defense. …

“The coyotes just kind of gave up.”

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