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518-523-2544
 
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Moose on the loose in the Adirondacks
On Saturday, September 22, Department of Environmental Conservation Dispatch in Ray Brook received reports of a
bull moose in the West Branch Ausable River in the Wilmington Notch
area.
The caller claimed that it appeared that the moose was stuck in the rocks. DEC wildlife biologists responded to the location and was unable to locate the moose.
Another report came into the DEC Dispatch indicating that the
moose had moved to another location but remained in the river. The moose
was becoming an attractive nuisance as motorists were stopping their
vehicles along Route 86 causing traffic to backup and unsafe conditions.
A DEC wildlife technician joined the biologist and harassed the
moose until it retreated into the woods out of sight. The moose has
been reported back in the river on Sunday and again this morning.
DEC
Environmental Conservation Police also responded assisting with crowd
control.
It appeared that the moose might have an injury on one leg that
it was favoring as it walked. DEC wildlife staff theorize that it is
possible that it that the cool waters of the river are soothing to its
injury. However, the extent of the injury it is not known nor is it known
why the moose keeps returning to the river.
Because the animal is able
to walk, at this point it appears its chances for survival are high. DEC and
State Police continue to monitor the moose*s behavior and condition from a
distance to determine what, if any, further action may be taken.
In the mean time, the public is advised to leave the animal alone and observe it only from a distance to avoid affecting its normal behavior.
