Moose Wandering Around Calgary. What To Do If You See The Herd.

by Jennifer Smith February 12, 2018

A pair of moose have been spotted wandering around Calgary's southwest neighborhoods of Aspen Woods and Strathcona Park in recent days.

Alberta Fish and Wildlife enforcement spokesperson Brendan Cox said officials are aware of the situation and the animals have been in the area for a couple of weeks.

So far, there have been no reports of the moose acting aggressive toward people, but officials will continue to watch for signs of concerning moose behaviour, Cox said.

What to do if you see the moose

If you see moose in the city, Cox advises you to keep your distance. People should not under any circumstances approach large wildlife, no matter how "calm or friendly" they appear, Cox said.

"If you don't have to walk in the direction where the moose is, then don't."

If you come across the moose in an enclosed space, such as a fenced-off yard, make sure there are escape routes available to the moose by leaving gates open.

Draw curtains on your windows and doors so that the moose is not tricked into thinking those are escape routes, and keep your pets and children indoors, Cox said.

Do not attempt to herd the moose, and refrain from yelling or throwing things to scare it away, Cox cautioned.

If the moose is obstructed or appears to have difficulty leaving the enclosed space, call the province's report-a-poacher line at 1-800-642-3800 for assistance.

Relocation possible, but not preferred

In rare instances, the province does intervene to remove wildlife from urban environments, but usually as a last resort.

"We try not to relocate the moose, because it involves tranquilizing the moose, and that can be quite risky," Cox said.

Tranquilizing drugs don't instantly take effect, and the whole process can cause heightened stress and adrenaline levels in the animal, which in extreme cases can lead to capture myopathy — a condition in which an animal's muscles stop functioning properly because of extreme stress, Cox explained.

Avoiding road collisions

In general, moose can be drawn to roadways because the transit corridors are generally lined with exposed vegetation, clear of snow and can present an easy travel option for animals, Cox said.

Drivers in the area should be mindful of any movement along the side of the roads, especially around sunset and sunrise, which is when moose are more active.

Story re-posted from CBC News/Calgary.