Alpine – Wyoming Game and Fish personnel captured and relocated a cow and calf moose from within the town of Alpine on March 11, 2009.  The pair were successfully tranquilized and moved to a location several miles south of Alpine.

“It is not unusual for moose to be seen in Alpine during the winter months,” said Todd Graham, Afton Game Warden for the Wyoming Game & Fish Department.  “This cow and calf moose had been living in Alpine for at least two weeks, eating any available shrubs and resting next to houses.”

Game and Fish officials noted the moose were not particularly aggressive, but had become accustomed to people and were increasingly less responsive to attempts made to haze them away from homes.

“This makes for some rather tense moments when someone can’t get into their house because the moose won’t move away from the door.”  However, Graham added that most calls to the Game and Fish were citizens concerned more about the safety of the moose than their own. Both moose were reportedly infested with winter ticks, as is common this time of year, and were losing hair.

“When they would lie down the moose would leave blood spots in the snow from the ticks,” said Graham. “People thought they were injured, but both moose were actually in pretty fair body condition. “Heavy tick infestations in moose are a life and death situation this late in the winter,” said Gary Fralick, Thayne Wildlife Biologist for the Wyoming Game & Fish Department. “Moose lose their ability to thermo-regulate their core body temperature during extreme cold because of the loss of blood and thermal guard hairs to tick bites.”

After several unsuccessful attempts to haze the moose, they were both tranquilized while lying on the front porch of a residence. “Tranquilizing a moose, especially a cow-calf pair, can be a dangerous matter in a developed area,” said Fralick. “It’s important to take your time and proceed with caution. The safety of both the public and the animals is of utmost importance.”

The two moose were successfully tranquilized and hauled by horse trailer and snowmobiles with sleds to an undeveloped area south of Alpine. Both moose were ear tagged and given antibiotics to address the
tick problem and protect against potential infections. Game and Fish officials continued to monitor the pair and reported them doing fine. Both Fralick and Graham expressed their appreciation to those who
assisted with the operation.

“We also appreciate the understanding and patience of the Alpine residents,” said Graham. “Winter months are a very stressful time for these animals and they can be dangerous. People were great about giving the moose their space and keeping pets under control.”