Angry moose chases joggers
An angry and aggressive moose has been chasing residents of the Norwegian city of Molde, mostly when they're out jogging in the woods that border on a residential neighbourhood.
Moose mothers are known for protectng their young, but one in Molde appears overly aggressive.


Kari Holmås is among those who suddenly found a moose on her tail during an otherwise solitary jogging round.

"I just managed to see the moose's face before it hit be from behind," Holmås told local newspaper Romsdals Budstikke. Holmås suffered injuries in her leg, thigh and hip, but says she's glad she survived.

Arne Inderhaug had a similar tale to tell. He went out jogging on Sunday afternoon, just after the local soccer club had won Norway's national cup, and also was attacked from behind. Inderhaug said he managed to dodge behind two trees, but hit his head in the process.

The same moose is believed to have targeted a third jogger as well. Martin Haanæs was out with his dog when a large female moose suddenly emerged from the woods and stopped on a trail about 20 meters ahead of him.

When the moose started approaching him, Haanæs and his dog backed away and took a major detour. "Luckily, I had the dog on a leash," Haanæs told the newspaper.

Overly protective mother
The moose has two calves, and females are known to protect their young. This one, in the forest known as Moldemarka, is seen as a threat, however, and wildlife officials are now trying to hunt down both her and the calves.

As of Tuesday, they hadn't been successful. The officials tracked her down, but "she understood we were out an another errand than the joggers, and she ran off," said Nils Bjørn Venås of Molde Township.

Venås claims Molde residents can still feel safe in their local woods, noting that the chances of being attacked by the moose are lower than being hit by a car.

"But everyone needs to show respect, and retreat if you meet a moose," he said.

Aftenposten English Web Desk
Nina Berglund/NTB
http://www.aftenposten.no/english/local/article1151669.ece


Drunken moose alert in southern Norway
Experts are not sure how it will affect moose behavior, but if you meet Norway's 'King of the Forest' in the southern part of the country, he could be intoxicated - and potentially dangerous.


According to a report from the Newspapers' News Bureau (ANB), the reason behind the warning is this year's early snowfall.
A warm summer has led to an unusual bounty from the region's fruit trees. The sudden and early snowfall has left some fruit under snowy cover, while still more remains on the branch. This fruit is fermenting, and also a readily available and tempting source of food for the region's moose.

"This is the first time I have heard that moose are getting drunk. But I assume that they react the same way people do to intoxication - some become harmless while others are the exact opposite," said district veterinarian Paul Stamberg in Kristiansand.

Martin Kolberg, head of the local animal committee in Telemark, warns people to beware of drunken moose.

"Be careful when you approach moose that have been munching apples for days. Their behavior can alter and they can become frighteningly aggressive. Clap and see how it reacts. If it doesn't retreat but instead comes even closer, by all means stay vigilant. It can be intoxicated and attack," Kolberg told newspaper Faedrelandsvennen.

http://www.aftenposten.no/english/local/article446908.ece

quote:

"Be careful when you approach moose that have been munching apples for days. Their behavior can alter and they can become frighteningly aggressive. Clap and see how it reacts. If it doesn't retreat but instead comes even closer, by all means stay vigilant. It can be intoxicated and attack,"

What a great idea!

Instead of spending lots of money to go to Africa for a dangerous game hunt, we can just dump lots of rotting fruit out in our forests, and bring the dangerous game to us!!!

Maybe I'll need to get a double rifle in 500NE?

With the price of alcoholic beverages what it is in Norway no wonder the Moose are going the inexpensive route!

Erik,

Call me if you if you want me to back you up with my .375H&H (solids).

My car was charged by a bull moose in Maine. I was on a dirt road in far Northern Maine driving along and a bull moose ran across the road far ahead and went into the woods on the other side. So I turned around and drove back real slow looking for the moose where it went into the woods.

The moose came charging out right at my car! I floored it and the road was very dry and a cloud of dust came up and I could not see the moose in the mirror.

Here is a pic of the muscle car I got new in 1969. It was just the most fun a car could be! I ordered it with the 360 HP 429 CI, AC, HD suspension. It was black with a white top and gold seats.

All scandinavian creatures show the same reaction after consuming alcoholics! Not only moose!

- mike

The guy had a dog on a leash and just didn't let it go?

Fido could have saved his life, even a dachsund is a tiger when its protecting family.