Video Shows Dangerous Rescue After Residents Attract Moose With Salt Lick
SILVERTHORNE, Colo. (CBS4) - Officials with Colorado Parks and Wildlife are warning people about the hazards of attracting wildlife into residential areas after a homeowner admitted to using salt to attract a moose that got tangled in a backyard swing.
Colorado Parks and Wildlife released video of the bull moose with its antlers caught in the rope of the swing at a residence in Summit County. The video shows the moose struggling to get free while wildlife officers attempt to help.
Wildlife officers were finally able to subdue the animal long enough to cut the rope. The moose didn't appear injured but was "significantly stressed" and charged the officers before running off.
"These homeowners told me that they enjoy watching wildlife so they put the salt lick out to attract moose and other animals," District Wildlife Manager Tom Davies of Silverthorne said in statement. "The fact that they caused the moose to suffer like it did and putting the officers in such a dangerous situation is a clear example of how irresponsible attracting wildlife to your home or neighborhood can be."
Food and other attractants provided by people are the "leading cause of conflicts and incidents like this in which humans are injured, pets are attacked or wildlife is killed," according to CPW.
CPW said officers used a Taser to subdue the moose, even though the use of a Taser in those types of situations is still being evaluated. So far CPW has found that Tasers have been helpful in immobilizing larger wildlife tangled in swings, hammocks, fences and other obstacles. They also have found Taser are helpful when officers are hazing animals away from residential areas.
"It was a difficult and dangerous situation but the Taser worked exactly as we had hoped," said Davies. "Tranquilization drugs were an option but considering how stressed the moose became during this precarious situation, it would have likely killed the animal. The Taser is proving to be very useful for a situation like this."
The residents who attracted the moose weren't cited but did get a stern warning from wildlife officers.
"If they put out any food or salt licks again to attract wildlife, they will be fined," said Davies. "And that goes for anyone else who does something like this.
"The video clearly shows how powerful and aggressive a moose can get when it feels threatened," said Davies. "Although predators in a residential area are a significant concern, little compares to the danger of having a moose near your home."
Additional Information From Colorado Parks and Wildlife
For more information about living responsibly with wildlife, visit http://cpw.state.co.us/learn/Pages/LivingwithWildlife.aspx
