Moose Safely Relocated from Coal Creek Open Space

This just crossed our email inboxes, and we thought it worth sharing!

ERIE, CO – The Town of Erie Police Department and Department of Public Works assisted the Colorado Division of Wildlife (DOW) with the relocation of a moose who had found its way to Coal Creek Open Space early this morning.  The moose is in good condition and has been transported out of the area according to DOW Spokesperson, Jennifer Churchill.

“Today we tranquilized and moved this moose because we wanted to ensure she stayed out of harm’s way.  She’s in good shape and headed back to appropriate moose habitat,” Churchill said.

Erie Police were notified by residents early Wednesday morning that a moose had been sited in Historic Downtown.  After officers arrived on scene, the moose retreated to Coal Creek east of the trail between the Erie Commons and Grandview neighborhoods.

The Erie Department of Public Works used a backhoe to clear a small section of the native grasses and shrubs that line Coal Creek in order to create a passage for crews to safely lift the moose.  DOW officials and Public Works staff placed the moose onto a stretcher and lifted her into the large bucket attachment of the backhoe.  The moose was then transported to a trailer that had been brought to the site.

View a photo of the moose at the Town of Erie’s website.