BOISE, Idaho – Idaho Fish and Game issued a press release noting that a Ketchum resident woman was attacked and sustained multiple injuries after being charged by a moose in her driveway on the evening of January 13.
The incident began when a loosely bound small dog confronted the moose and the woman attempted to intervene. From about 20 feet away, the moose charged at the woman and hit her in the head, reportedly rendering her briefly unconscious.
Although there is no information on what happened immediately after contact, her injuries indicate that the attack continued while she was on the ground.
Thankfully the woman’s injuries were not life-threatening. The identity of the woman was not disclosed.
Fish and Game were not informed of the attack until the morning of 17 January.
Fish & Game urges timely reporting of attacks by aggressive moose, or any other wildlife, by calling 911. Immediate reporting enhances their ability to protect the public from additional wildlife incidents.
Non-offensive sightings should be reported to the Magic Valley Regional Office at (208) 324-4359 or Blaine County Dispatch at (208) 788-5555.
Several moose have been reported in the Warm Springs neighborhood west of Ketchum. Field workers are trying to locate and relocate them to a more remote location.
Fish and Game reminds residents who live in the area when they see a moose nearby. While a moose may give the impression of being slow-moving and inconspicuous, they can react very quickly when provoked and are able to cover large distances in a matter of seconds.
Fish and Game also offers these tips and guidelines:
If a person encounters a moose, they should observe the moose’s behavior closely, looking for signs of agitation or stress. If a moose pins its ears back or the hair on the back of its neck rises, it means it is under stress and could charge at any moment. Moose often snort or grunt or stomp their hooves when stressed or feeling threatened. The best course of action if you see any of these behaviors is to put something between you and the moose – such as a tree or vehicle, or if it can be done safely, enter your home or vehicle. Do it.
Residents are strongly encouraged to heed these safety measures around moose:
- Always keep your dog on a leash when wildlife is present.
- Even if leashed, a moose may view the dog as a predator, so the best and safest course of action for dog owners when a moose is present may be to .
- Never put yourself in a position where you are between a cow and a calf.
- When males are in estrus during estrus, they can become very agitated and show aggression towards people and pets.
- In winter, moose can become stressed due to extreme cold and deep snow, while their food supplies are low and their fat stores are depleted.
you can visit Wood River Valley Wildlife Smart Communities website for more information on how to live safely with wildlife.
