Below is a news release from Colorado Parks and Wildlife.
Colorado Parks and Wildlife officers had to put down a moose in Breckenridge after a woman was attacked on a street in front of her home. The incident occurred Saturday evening when the woman tried to get the moose out of the street so a car could pass. The victim believed she was being a good neighbor in trying to lead the young bull moose away from the street.
“Unfortunately, the victim felt too comfortable and got too close,” said Lyle Sidener, Area Wildlife Manager for Colorado Parks and Wildlife. “Moose look like big friendly critters but they are tolerant only to a point.”
Wildlife officers have been busy in Summit County this year. In early March, a woman was cited in Breckenridge for harassing a moose that was in the downtown area. The moose had to be relocated a few days later when spring break visitors refused to leave it alone and it was becoming less tolerant.
Winter is a challenging time for most species in Colorado. Moose, elk, and deer commonly seek shelter from wind and snow by moving into the same valley areas where people have built their towns. With everyone trying to utilize small spaces in the winter months, conflicts become more likely.
People are reminded to give moose a wide berth. Shiras moose, the subspecies found in Colorado, can weigh between 800 and 1200 pounds as adults. Even young moose can be in the 600 pound range.
Colorado Parks and Wildlife offers these tips for safety around moose:
- Watch for signs of aggression, such as laid back ears, raised hair on the neck, or licking of the snout.
- Avoid animals that are behaving belligerently.
- Keep pets away, especially dogs, as moose can be quite aggressive toward other animals.
- If a moose charges, run and put a large object – car, tree, rock – between you and the moose.
(Photo source: Colorado Parks and Wildlife)