After a recent incident north of Colorado Springs, state Parks and Wildlife officials are reminding people to give moose plenty of room.
There have been periodic moose encounters in the wilds of Southwest Colorado, although no reported injuries. But even more-populated areas, such as Black Forest just north of Colorado Springs, have moose nearby.
“In Black Forest we have a moose who has been around for several years,” District Wildlife Manager Sabrina Hurwitz said in a news release this week. “She seems pretty happy here, and we’d like to keep it that way.”
Recently the moose charged at someone in the area who was walking a dog. No one was injured, but Hurwitz said it’s a good time to remind people to stay alert and be on the lookout for wildlife.
No moose incidents or sightings have been reported this year in Southwest Colorado, but that’s normal. They tend to occur once the snow melts and the backcountry opens up, Joe Lewandowski, Durango-based spokesman for Parks and Wildlife, said Thursday.
“Dogs seem to precipitate a lot of issues,” Lewandowski said. If you see a moose, it’s a good idea to put your dog on a leash, he said.
There were a couple second-hand reports last year from the Silverton area of people being chased by moose, but no reported injuries, Lewandowski said. They’re often seen in the Mineral Creek and Eureka areas, and often inhabit creek bottoms and thick willows. But they can also be among the aspen and evergreens.
More than 2,300 moose reside in Colorado, Parks and Wildlife estimates. There are probably fewer than 100 moose in the San Juan National Forest, Lewandowski said.
Between 1991 and 1992, about 100 moose from Wyoming, Utah and Colorado’s North Park were released near Creede, which is less than 50 miles from Silverton by a straight line.
Moose can reach 1,200 pounds and can run up to 35 mph. They do not fear people, and they will aggressively defend their young and their territory.
Dogs can provoke attacks because of their resemblance to wolves, a moose’s only natural predator. A charging moose will likely follow a dog running back to its owners and can end up injuring them as well.
“Even though the dog was on a leash in this instance it still was able to get close enough to spook her,” Hurwitz said of the Black Forest encounter. “Luckily, everyone came out of the situation unhurt, including the moose.”
Wildlife managers caution that when humans are injured by wildlife, it can result in the euthanasia of the animal, regardless of the circumstances.
“No one wants to be responsible for the needless death of an animal that was just following its instincts,” adds Hurwitz.
Parks and Wildlife gives these tips for those who encounter a moose:
Give them plenty of room – enjoy viewing wildlife from a distance.
If an animal reacts to your presence, you’re too close.
Keep pets away. Never let your dog approach a moose.
Look for signs that the moose is agitated: raised hackles, lowered head, ears pinned back, swaying back and forth, licking its snout.
If you see any of those signs, leave the area as quickly as possible and avoid cornering the animal.
If a moose charges, run away and try to put a tree, vehicle or other large object between you and the moose.
If you are knocked down, get up and try to get away. Do not stay on the ground.
For more information and tips about moose watching, visit Colorado Parks and Wildlife’s Moose Country article at http://cpw.state.co.us/learn/Pages/LivingwithWildlifeMoose.aspx.
johnp@durangoherald.com
