A woman has been caught at Rocky Mountain National Park stalking a moose with her phone to get a close-up video, despite the animals being particularly tired, stressed, and prone to agitation at this time of year.
Winter is hard for most wildlife, and moose are no exception. As Colorado Parks and Wildlife explains, their long legs help them move through deep snow, but doing so is tiring and food is scarce, leaving the animals tired and stressed.
In a video shot by Colorado-based photographers Good Bull Outdoors, and shared this week via Instagram account TouronsOfNationalParks, the visitor is unfazed as the cow moose walks towards her, and rather than returning to her vehicle, gets even closer to film it, until it escapes over a snowbank.
Moose are spectacular animals, and spotting one is a highlight of any trip to Rocky Mountain, but the National Park Service (NPS) urges caution. Although they aren't generally aggressive, they are powerful wild animals, and can lash out if they are threatened. They are particularly likely to attack dogs, which they cannot distinguish from wolves.
Colorado Parks and Wildlife has already received reports of six moose incidents in the Rocky Mountain towns of Fraser and Tabernash this year. One man received minor injuries when he was knocked down while walking his dogs, and a dog died after being trampled.
"Enjoy moose at a distance," says the NPS. "Give these animals plenty of room to roam without human interferences. Bulls and cows are equally unpredictable. During the mating season, bull moose are known to charge and females are particularly protective of calves at all times.
"Moose can top speeds of 35 miles per hour. If you see a moose display a threatening position of 'head high' or 'head low', it is time to retreat."
For more details, see our guides what to do if you spot a moose while hiking and wildlife safety: eight tips for unexpected encounters.
