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Moose On The Move In The High Country

VAIL, Colo. (CBS4)- Moose are on the move in the high country and the Vail Police Department and wildlife managers are sending out a warning to residents.

"We have moose in neighborhoods today, last night I got calls," said Elissa Knox, District Wildlife Manager with the State of Colorado.

Knox says the moose population is expanding and the animals are moving into areas typically not seen before, even into the heart of downtown Vail. A young moose was seen walking the cobblestone streets on Main Street, prompting a closer look at the animals' behavior this spring.

"We have a lot of moose moving around in Summit County and all over Colorado right now," said Knox.

Knox said the moose coming so close to humans is not just an issue for that town, but with the moose population expanding statewide, the number of moose and human interactions is also on the rise.

The moose can be really dangerous, in comparison to other wildlife.

"They are not afraid of us, it does not take a lot to trigger that aggression," said Knox.

Wildlife managers warn people visiting and living in moose country to give the animals their space.

"They are not afraid of us, they have no fear of humans," said Knox.

A woman in Steamboat Springs was recently attacked by a moose and injured. That's something wildlife managers like Knox are trying to prevent.

"Unfortunately we did have some people put in the hospital by a moose and we are trying to do our best to avoid that happening this summer season," said Knox.

Wildlife managers say walking a dog is one of the most dangerous things to do around moose because moose will see the dog as a predator and charge. The best thing to do when coming across a moose is to back away slowly.

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