Colorado Parks and Wildlife said the moose trampled her several times.
ESTES PARK, Colorado — An 8-year-old girl had to go to a hospital after a moose attacked her in Estes Park, according to a statement from Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW).
CPW said it is now investigating the attack, which took place around 1 p.m. Thursday. The girl’s relatives told the agency that she was riding her bicycle in an Estes Park neighborhood when the female began chasing her from about 200 feet away.
The moose eventually caught up to the girl and stomped on her “several times,” CPW said. She was reportedly taken to a nearby hospital to receive treatment for her injuries and she was released that same day.
CPW said the officer who responded to the attack found a bull moose and a calf in the area where the incident occurred, and the moose was acting aggressively. According to CPW, a non-lethal round was fired at the moose to dispel its aggressive behavior toward the officer.
An agency spokesperson said no injuries were observed on the moose after the bullet was fired. On Friday, the responding officer took the newborn calf to CPW’s health lab, where it will be cared for by veterinarians and wildlife specialists.
9NEWS asked CPW why the calf was transported to the health lab if the cow moose was successfully tricked, but the agency did not respond until 9:15 p.m. Friday.
CPW said male moose can become aggressive toward people and pets to protect their calves from any perceived threats during calving season, which lasts from late spring to early summer in Colorado. Conflicts with moose and moose are common when they have their calves nearby, especially when their calves cannot support themselves, according to the agency.
“While it is a natural reaction for bull moose to be very defensive during calving season, it is not often that they will hurt someone, especially a child,” said CPW Area Wildlife Manager Jason Duetsch in the notice. “We are happy that the girl is recovering from her injuries and I wish her continued healing.”
The agency said officers will harass bull moose in the area as necessary to mitigate any conflict with neighbors, and that signs have been posted in the area warning of aggressive moose behavior.
CPW said young animals should always be left alone and pets should always be on a leash to discourage conflicts with moose.
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