Vail Police: No Plans To Remove Moose That Frequent Downtown, Contrary To Rumor

VAIL, Colo. (CBS4) - Hundreds of people in Vail are sharing false information that the city has plans to remove or destroy a Moose and her two calves that frequent the downtown area. The moose family was recently captured on security video in a parking garage hanging out.

An online petition and social media postings have been gaining traction, but city leaders say they have no idea where the inaccurate information is coming from.

"Our motto is let the moose be moose, and give them their space. We are not going to move them from the city," Vail information officer Suzanne Silverthorn told CBS4 Friday morning.

The city took to their social media platforms to reassure residents that the moose are not going anywhere, at least due to the city's intervention.

"Somebody brought out the petition to my attention late yesterday and we wanted to make sure we got the correct information out there," said Vail Police Sgt. Bill Clausen. "We're not sure how that got out there, but our procedure for dealing with wildlife, moose, is we're just going to let them do what they're going to do."

Most residents in Vail welcome the moose family, despite some of the damage that may be left behind.

"Everyone I've met, whether they were eating their trees or walking on their lawn, they love the moose," said one Vail resident.

The woman who started the online petition lives in Avon. It is unclear where she obtained the information that the moose would face a dire future. She did not return calls made by CBS4 for comment.

CBS4 reported earlier this year moose were spotted munching on flowers in the main Vail village center. They are not uncommon in the mountain town.

Matt Kroschel covers news throughout Colorado working from the CBS4 Mountain Newsroom. Send story ideas to mrkroschel@cbs.com and connect with him on Twitter @Matt_Kroschel.