By Shannon Lukens. (Photo courtesy Karin Kagan.)

 

A moose had to be untangled from a volleyball net Friday. It was dragging the net and the poles around from its antlers in the area of Fish Creek Falls Road.

 

The moose was spotted by neighbors on Copper Rose Court. Colorado Parks and Wildlife officers were contacted. Area Wildlife Manager Kris Middledorf describes what happened

“Today we had a moose that was carrying a volleyball net with a pole attached. We really encourage everybody in Steamboat Springs to look at these type of things that a animals can get entangled in. But unfortunately the moose was actually hit by a motor vehicle on Fish Creek Road. It has come over into the neighborhood.

We had wildlife officers respond with a biologist. We were able to safely immobilize the animal using chemical immobilization and cut away the net and along with the pole. We assessed the moose’s body condition.

We think it’s about a 5-year-old moose. It is one of our GPS collared moose, part of our study. During that assessment of his body condition, one thing we did notice was that several of the incisors of the lower left mandible are missing and there is a fracture of the mandible.

But we have seen the animal on its feet and it was mobile. It’s legs appear to be working very well, so we’re going to give this moose a chance.

Because of this GPS collar, we’ll be able to assess its condition and watch it.

But again, for everybody in Steamboat, please slow down on our roads. If you have things in your yard that are hanging, hammocks, etc. We need them pulled down this time of year, especially with these animals with antlers that are out.”

 

The moose was sitting in the shade, and starting to wake up this afternoon.

As a reminder, please be careful and aware of animals when driving.

And as Kris Middledorf said, please remove things from your yard that are hanging, like hammocks, and badminton and volleyball nets from your yard.

 

From Colorado Parks and Wildlife: Moose — About This Species

From Colorado Parks and Wildlife: Living with Moose