Mass Wildlife Relocates Loose Moose in Marlborough

Residents of Marlborough were shocked to see a moose in their midst on Tuesday after a female (cow) was found wandering through a waterfront neighborhood.

Not the usual wild animal sighting for Marlborough, but according to the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife they had to relocate a roaming female moose that was posing a potential danger to the community. No one was injured by the moose and nothing was reportedly damaged, but given the location the animal was found in, Mass Wildlife felt the only option was relocation.

As the government agency posted on their Facebook page, "Given the location, it was determined the safest course of action was to immobilize and relocate the moose with the assistance of the Massachusetts Environmental Police."

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Though the agency did not reveal the exact location the moose was immobilized in, several commenters on social media say the moose was seen in neighborhoods around Marlborough Hospital and Marlborough High School.

Fun 107 also talked with Amy Stevens who said she tried to go out and walk her dog this afternoon when police warned her she "may want to go right as there is a moose in the backyard.” Stevens also reported seeing the animal falling from a wall on Greenwood Ave, adding it was "very upsetting, but she does get up and trot off."

Good to hear the fall nor the immobilizing agent caused any harm to the moose, who was last seen by Environment Police and Mass Wildlife walking off towards the woods. Wildlife experts examined the female and determined from her tooth wear pattern that she was about six-years-old.

She was monitored as the affects of the immobilization agent wore off and those with knowledge of the woods she was relocated to say a male moose has been known to live in the same area. Hopefully this all means a happy ending with potentially more young moose in Massachusetts' future.

These massive animals are not that rare in the Bay State. Since the 1980s they have been slowly migrating south from northern New England to make homes in more southern woods too. Though every now and then they do make residential appearances, moose are mainly elusive creatures that prefer to remain unseen when possible.

Mass Wildlife does remind hikers and other who may spot a moose to always keep a respectful distance and try to avoid startling them. In most cases the moose will simply move away and you can continue on your walk.