[Vision2020] Strays draw crowds

[Gary Crabtree]

Cue Northern Exposure theme music...


On Thu, Jul 18, 2013 at 12:39 PM, Tom Hansen <thansen at moscow.com> wrote:

> Courtesy of today's (July 18, 2013) Lewiston Tribune.
>
> --------------------------------------
>
> Strays draw crowds
>
> MOSCOW - Two yearling moose finally bedded down near a clump of pine trees
> around noon Wednesday in Ghormley Park, after spending the morning
> wandering near downtown Moscow.
>
> Idaho Fish and Game officer Jon Horne said moose seem to find their way
> into Moscow about once a year. In this case, the two were just a little
> lost.
>
> "They're two yearlings, so they're supposed to be on their own but this is
> the first time they've been away from mama," Horne said.
>
> Horne was contacted about 8:30 Wednesday morning after the moose were
> spotted. The Moscow Police Department assisted Fish and Game with
> monitoring the animals and keeping the public at bay.
>
> "Our biggest concern is having people around them," said Moscow Police Lt.
> Paul Kwiatkowski.
>
> Various people who had seen the moose had called the police department in
> the past couple of days, and Kwiatkowski said officers were able to locate
> them Wednesday morning.
>
> Kwiatkowski, along with animal control officer Bill Hickman, stood near
> the corner of Deakin Avenue and Sixth Street watching the animals just
> before the noon hour. They directed people to stay at a safe distance,
> which Horne said is about 50 yards.
>
> "In general, moose are calm around people," he said. "They tolerate people
> really well. As long as nobody's chasing them or spooking them, they'll do
> their own thing."
>
> If they are spooked, Horne said that could cause the animals to panic and
> run into the roadway - and risk being hit by a car.
>
> The animals were near Moscow's Salvation Army on Jackson Street when
> Hickman was notified about them around 7 a.m. They later wandered into the
> park before moving toward Jackson Street at about 9:30 a.m. Hickman said
> officers were able to turn the moose around again, and that's when they
> bedded down.
>
> People may want to see the moose and take pictures, but Kwiatkowski said
> police would prefer onlookers stay away from the animals.
>
> "The biggest thing is they're wild - they're not domesticated pets," he
> said.
>
> Horne planned to monitor the moose throughout the day until city activity
> died down, and then leave them alone for the night. His hope was that the
> animals would leave on their own and be gone by today.
>
> "That's what we want them to do - whatever they did to get in here
> (Tuesday) night, we want them to reverse (Wednesday night)," Horne said.
>
> If the moose are still in town today, Horne said, Fish and Game may
> re-evaluate the situation.
>
> --------------------
>
> One of the two moose found Wednesday near downtown Moscow strolls across
> the 400 block of Almon Street.
>
> [image: 51e78c75be353.image.jpg]
>
>
> --------------------------------------
>
> Seeya 'round town, Moscow, because . . .
>
> "Moscow Cares" (the most fun you can have with your pants on)
> http://www.MoscowCares.com
>
> Tom Hansen
> Moscow, Idaho
>
> "There's room at the top they are telling you still
> But first you must learn how to smile as you kill
> If you want to be like the folks on the hill."
>
> - John Lennon
>
>
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