In the tranquil outskirts of Sault Ste. Marie, a remarkable scene unfolded as a woman encountered a moose in the wild, captured in a video shared by an anonymous reader.
Against a backdrop of pristine snow, the footage beautifully captures the spontaneous meeting between human and wildlife.
The video begins with the moose leisurely wandering through the snowy landscape before calmly approaching the woman, who offers a piece of apple to the tagged moose, fostering a brief connection between the two. The gentle exchange ends with the moose ambling away into the wilderness.
While this heartwarming encounter showcases an unusual connection between a person and a wild animal, it's important to note the inherent risks. Interacting with wild animals, especially those as large and powerful as moose, can potentially pose dangers. The woman's composed demeanour likely played a role in the peaceful outcome of this encounter.
Moose safety:
Moose are not known for being aggressive, and tend to avoid urban areas, however, they will perceive dogs as threats, while females are protective of their calves, according to Wild Safe BC.
Adult male moose (bulls) can weigh between 400 to 600 kilograms and grow to a height of over two meters at the shoulder, while females (cows) tend to be smaller, ranging in weight from 300 to 500 kilograms. Wild Safe BC says you should never approach a moose.
You should stay as far back as possible and give the animals a wide berth. Make sure the moose always has an escape route so it doesn’t feel trapped.
"Moose cows are very protective of their young and may attack if they perceive a threat. If you come across a cow and calf, calmly leave the area immediately. Moose will perceive dogs as a threat and may seriously injure or kill a dog. Never let a dog loose in your yard to chase a moose as it may be injured or cause stress to the animal," says Wild Safe BC.
What to do if you encounter a moose:
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Be aware of moose body language: A threatened moose may lower its head and flatten its ears before charging.
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Avoid making eye contact: Back away slowly and speak softly. Meanwhile, find an escape route and scan the vicinity for a large object to place between you and the moose.
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If a moose charges at you: Put a large tree or other object between you and the animal. If there is a building or car nearby, get inside before the moose can reach you.
Above all, if you do encounter a moose, just remember to give the animal as much space as you can, because you might not end up as lucky as the woman in this video.
