Wildlife officials investigate after 8-year-old girl is attacked by moose in Colorado

ESTES PARK, Colorado — A girl is recovering after being attacked by a moose Thursday afternoon in Estes Park, Colorado.

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Colorado Parks and Wildlife said family members of the 8-year-old girl reported she was riding her bike in their neighborhood. Around 1 p.m., a female moose began chasing the girl from about 60 meters away, KUSA reported.

The moose trampled the girl several times. She was taken to the hospital and she was able to get out of it that same day, the agency said.

An officer responded to the area after the attack and found a moose with a calf, KUSA reported. The moose was acting aggressively. The officer used a non-lethal bullet and shot the moose in hopes of stopping the behavior.

The officer watched the moose for several hours and returned on Friday.v reported that the officer took the calf to the Colorado Parks and Wildlife laboratory on Friday to be treated by veterinarians and wildlife specialists.

“This is an unusual and unfortunate situation where a young girl was playing outside, away from the calf, and a moose became aggressive to protect her newborn,” said CPW Wildlife Area Manager Jason Duetsch. “While it is a natural reaction for female moose to be very defensive during calving season, it is not often that they hurt someone, especially a child. We are happy that the girl is recovering from her injuries and we wish her continued healing.”

Wildlife officials said, according to KDVR, that moose calving season runs from late spring to early summer in Colorado. It is recommended to leave young animals alone and keep pets on a leash at all times.

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