Moose charges at a teenager in Pinebrook

A moose charged at a young teenager at Pinebrook Park, over the weekend. Photo: TownLift

PINEBROOK, Park City — A moose charged at a teenager in Pinebrook Park, over the weekend. The video was submitted by a TownLift reader. There is no information about the encounter leading up to the incident filmed (if the moose was provoked).

The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources has warned that the drought conditions could lead to more moose sightings in urban areas.

Know moose behavior:

Cow moose can be aggressive when they have calves in the spring and summer, and bull moose can be aggressive and territorial during the fall breeding season. Moose often feel threatened when people or dogs get too close, which can also make them aggressive and lead them to charge, knock someone over and stomp on them.

Some physical warning signs that a moose may become aggressive include:

• Lowering their head
• Hair standing up on the neck
• Licking their snout
• Pinning their ears back

Safety tips to prevent conflicts with a moose
If you encounter a moose, here are some tips to help you stay safe:

• Always give the moose a lot of space and watch its behavior
• Never try to approach or feed a moose
• Keep dogs leashed and under control at all times. It is against Utah law to allow dogs to chase or harass protected
• wildlife, like moose
• Stay calm and do not run away. Talk, make your presence known, and slowly back away in the direction you came
• If a moose charges you or chases you, hide behind something solid (like a tree) or try to get inside a vehicle or building
• If a moose knocks you down, curl into a ball, protect your head, and lie still until the moose retreats

“Like with most wildlife, if you give moose plenty of space and don’t try to get too close, it will help keep you and them safe,” said Utah Division of Wildlife Resources Big Game Coordinator Covy Jones. “Our biologists relocate numerous moose in urban areas every year, and we really want people to admire these amazing animals from a distance and stay safe.”

For more moose safety tips, visit the Wild Aware Utah website.

 

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