Calf moose struck by vehicle, later euthanized
Photo by Marc Stewart A cow moose and a calf moose sit in a Parkwood Circle yard on Sunday. The calf was struck and injured later by a vehicle, and had to be euthanized by Idaho Fish and Game on Monday evening.
COEUR d'ALENE — A calf moose was euthanized a day after being struck by a vehicle Sunday evening.
"While we regret having to euthanize the calf, it prevented a much slower and more painful demise and potential safety risk for the public since the cow would have remained with her calf," said TJ Ross, Idaho Fish and Game spokesman, Tuesday.
The accident happened about 7 p.m. at Ramsey Road and Hanley Avenue. There was no police report on the accident.
Fish and Game was notified and officers found the calf and cow moose shortly afterward, "and noted that that calf was still quite mobile at that time, but definitely injured."
Fish and Game continued to monitor the situation Monday with officers and other staff on site, "hoping that the calf would recover and move on," Ross said.
But late Monday, "it was the clear the calf was not going to recover from its injuries, so our officers made the decision to euthanize the calf. This was done safely, both for the public and for our officers."
As usual about this time of year, moose have been spotted wandering about some sections of the city.
The mom and calf in this case were photographed in a neighborhood Sunday in Parkwood Circle, several hours before the accident, which happened just a few blocks away.
Ross said with the early onset of snow this winter, the public should expect to continue to see moose in town periodically over the next few months.
He said they often move into lower elevation areas to feed when the snow accumulates in the mountains, and ornamental landscaping makes for an easy meal.
Individuals from the public are advised to never feed, approach or attempt to touch a moose or any other wild animal for the sake of their own safety and that of the animal.