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Adirondack moose euthanized near Whiteface Mt

09/26/2012

The moose was put to rest yesterday. What follows is a statement from the Department of Environmental Conservation.

 

Today (Sept. 25) DEC re-assessed the moose located in the Willmington Notch. DEC determined the moose had significant injuries to both its hind legs and its conditioning was deteriorating.

After careful consideration of all the factors involved and guided by its Moose Response Manual (www.dec.ny.gov/animals/74663.html), DEC decided the best course of action was to euthanize the moose and remove the carcass from the location.

Euthanizing wildlife is always the option of last resort. Due to the moose's deteriorating condition, it is unlikely the moose would have been able to remove itself from the ravine and the animal most likely would have died there.

Removal of the moose while it was alive was unsafe for both the moose and people involved in that activity.

In addition, the moose created a public safety concern with people and vehicles traveling the narrow road through the Wilmington Notch. The mix of cars stopping in the road, people on foot on the road and moving vehicles with people looking for the moose and not watching the road created unsafe conditions. A number of near collisions have occurred.

The moose's carcass has been transported to the DEC Pathology Laboratory in Delmar for evaluation.