A moose charged a person walking dogs near Winter Park on Sunday, sending them to the hospital with serious injuries, according to Colorado Parks and Wildlife.
The unidentified person was walking two dogs on Little Vasquez Road — a that climbs the mountain behind the Winter Park ski resort — when a moose and her yearling appeared, according to a news release from Colorado Parks and Wildlife. A yearling is a moose between 12 and 24 months old.
The moose charged and kicked the victim several times before turning to attack the two dogs, which the victim released to allow the dogs to run away, state wildlife officials said. Paramedics took the victim to the hospital with serious injuries to the chest and arms.
Wildlife officers returned to the area, but were unable to find the moose, according to the release. Signs were posted at the trailhead to alert visitors to moose activity in the area.
“Although this was an unexpected encounter with the moose, this incident is a good reminder to give moose plenty of space when recreating outdoors,” Colorado wildlife officials said in the release.
Moose tend to inhabit areas near water with abundant willows, their primary food source, which often makes it hard to see any animals ahead because of the dense vegetation, according to Colorado Parks and Wildlife.
People recreating outdoors should try to select routes with clear visibility, exercise caution and make noise when near willows, thick vegetation or approaching corners, wildlife officials said. Hikers should always respect posted signs warning of aggressive moose behavior or calf activity on trails.
Cow moose, or female moose, usually give birth to calves in late spring and early summer, wildlife officials said. During that time, they often become more aggressive toward perceived threats.
“Cows will often hide their calves to protect them from predators while remaining nearby,” officials stated in the release. “If you spot a calf, it is best to turn back or leave the area.”
Most moose conflicts involve dogs, according to the state wildlife agency. People recreating near moose habitats should keep dogs on leash. Off-leash dogs can venture off-trail, surprising hidden moose calves or cows and prompting the animals to chase or attack the dog, state wildlife officials said.
Anyone who encounters a moose should give it time and space to move, wildlife officials said. Attempting to haze or scare the moose out of the way is dangerous and considered harassment, which is illegal.
If a moose has laid-back ears, pawing the ground, licks its snout, or changes its direction to face a person, that person is too close and needs to back away, according to Colorado Parks and Wildlife. If a moose charges, people should seek shelter behind large objects like trees or boulders to create an obstacle in its path.
and boasts one of the fastest-growing populations in the lower 48 states, according to the agency.
