It should be commonsense that attempting to pet a wild moose is not a good idea but some folks have to learn the hard way.
Ordinarily moose are not overly aggressive but can quickly become dangerous in certain situations including harassment by humans especially during the winter months when they may be under more stress due to hunger and exhaustion. This encounter was both a clear case of harassment and occurred during the depth of winter so it is should come as no great surprise that it was met with a swift aggressive response.
This snowmobiler should count himself extremely lucky for only getting his leg broken in this completely avoidable attack. Word to the wise, if you come across a moose in the wild during any time of the year, give it maximum breadth or potentially suffer the consequences.
Safety Guidelines To Prevent Moose Conflicts:
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 hoofed 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.