As cool as moose are, it’s always important to remember that keeping an appropriate distance should be your #1 priority when interacting with any sort of wildlife. Is this photo taken by off duty Summit Fire & EMS Battalion Chief Lou Laurina in Breckenridge super cool? Yes. Is it still incredibly dangerous? Absolutely yes.
It’s so dangerous, in fact, that Red White & Blue Fire Protection District chose to use the photo as a teaching moment, and we figure we can spread their message to do the same. The following is Red White & Blue Fire Protection District’s tips to staying safe around moose:
• “Pay attention to your surroundings, especially in thickets of willows and near ponds, lakes and streams.
• If the moose hasn’t noticed you, keep your distance and continue on your hike (or turn back if the trail leads toward the animal).
• If the moose has noticed you, talk to it calmly and softly while also keeping your distance. Either continue on your hike or turn back if the trail leads toward the animal.
• Always stay at least 25 yards from a moose.
• Never act aggressively.
• If the moose is agitated and looks like it may attack you, run away or take cover behind a solid object. Do not stand your ground.
• It’s alright to run from a moose!
• If the moose attacks and you fall down, curl up into a ball and protect your head and neck with your arms.”
According to the group’s Facebook post, moose often seek for nutrient-dense vegetation at the bottom of shallow bodies of water, and they can swim well over 5 mph (Michael Phelps set his personal 200-meter freestyle record in 2008 with an average speed of around 4.7 mph). As such, it’s important to understand that moose are just as dangerous in water as they are on land.
Image Credit: Red White & Blue Fire Protection District via Facebook