‘Protective’ moose tramples hiker on trail with barking dog, Colorado officials say

A “defensive cow moose” trampled a hiker after their dog began barking on a Colorado trail, wildlife officials said.

Two hikers with three leashed dogs first saw the mother moose and a calf in a clearing along Crags Trail in Teller County on Sept. 12, Colorado Parks and Wildlife said in a Sept. 13 news release.

Though they “tried to go around while keeping some space from the moose,” she continued toward them, and one of the dogs began to bark, officials said.

“The moose came at them and trampled one of the hikers,” officials said.

The hikers were able to get out from under the moose, officials said. But as they tried to run away, the mother “continued to chase after them down the trail.”

The moose eventually stopped chasing the hikers, who were able to get to their cars, officials said.

The trampled hiker had “only minor injuries,” according to officials.

“This incident is a reminder of why we warn everyone to respect wildlife and give them their space,” Tim Kroening, a wildlife manager with the department said in the release, adding that moose often see dogs as predators and act defensively in response.

“This cow moose was exhibiting classic protective behavior of its calf,” Kroening said. “If you are in the backcountry, give wildlife extra space. Especially when wildlife are raising their young.”

Kroening said dogs should be kept on leashes, as these hikers did, or “better yet, keep them at home.”

With a growing moose population and more people moving to the state, wildlife officials urged that it’s “especially important to take precautions when recreating in the state.”

This incident marks the third reported moose attack on humans in the state so far this year, officials said.

One precaution hikers can take is to “avoid thick willow” areas where moose may be eating or resting, Kroening said.

Moose calves are born at the end of May through mid-June and “are often lying in the willows while their mother is off grazing and will stay with their mother into the fall,” Kroening said.

As wildlife enter their breeding periods in the fall, “where male will become more aggressive, fighting each other for the opportunity to mate,” Kroening said “this aggression can sometimes be turned toward people that get too close.”

Kroening said people should enjoy wildlife from a distance.

“If you see wildlife ahead of you on a trail, do not attempt to keep going. Instead, back away slowly and return the way you came,” Kroening said.

Teller County is about 20 miles west of Colorado Springs

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