Ah, a deer!
Colorado wildlife officials are warning locals to flee on foot if they spot an angry moose in Centennial State Park after two young children, a woman and her dog were attacked by the crazed beast in three separate recent incidents.
The stomp attack sent two young visitors to the recreation spot in the town of Estes Park to the hospital and left the woman needing medical treatment, Colorado Parks and Wildlife said. said in a statement on Friday..
“Female moose with calves are known to be aggressive, but we have never experienced anything like what we have seen this year,” department wildlife manager Jason Duetsch said in a statement. “All three attacks were unprovoked and unfortunate accidents.”
“There is no clear evidence to suggest these attacks were caused by the same animal, which highlights how unusual the moose behaviour is,” he added.
Authorities said the attack appeared to be the work of a mother deer protecting her nearby fawn.
In the latest attack on Friday, a woman was walking her dog on a leash when she startled a female moose about 20 yards away, causing the moose to lunge at her and her frightened puppy.
The park service said the woman tried to hide behind a tree, but the animal slammed her to the ground and kicked her several times, requiring her to seek medical attention.
Last Monday, a four-year-old boy was playing in a playground at the park when he spotted two moose hiding behind some rocks. One of them attacked the child and trampled him, forcing startled relatives and passersby to chase it away. The Denver Gazette reported:.
According to the media, on May 30th, an 8-year-old girl was riding her bicycle when a moose charged at her from about 60 yards away, knocking her down and taking her to the hospital.
All three victims suffered non-life-threatening injuries, authorities said.
“The best way to prevent a moose attack is to keep your distance,” park officials said. “If a moose seems overly interested in you or displays aggressive behavior, leave the area immediately.
“It’s also helpful to keep an eye on your surroundings,” the statement said. “Moose tend to be less noticeable in rocky, shady or wooded areas.”
Meanwhile, a Colorado Springs man shot and killed a deer that attacked several dogs and a pregnant woman in the town on Friday night. CBS News reported in the report:.
