This is the elk and safety moment a huge moose slips and sprawls amid fast moving traffic on a highway as a car bears down on it.

Dashcam footage from Murmansk, north-western Russia, on 4th May shows the elk scramble up an embankment and slip to its knees as it is about to run across the road.

And as the car speeds closer the elk is still struggling to find its feet.

Then, at the very last second, it manages to stand up and leaps to the safety of the grass verge missing a collision by inches.

Elks are commonly found in the Murmansk region and often move closer to roads in spring when they migrate in search of food and potential mates.

The region’s harsh winter conditions typically ease in May, prompting increased wildlife activity.

(MJ Leidig/newsX)