A mountain biker was charged by a female moose defending her calves on Ridgemont trails in Fernie yesterday, WildSafeBC Elk Valley reported.

The biker shared their encounter with WildSafeBC Elk Valley: “Had a very close encounter with momma moose who was with her twins on Broken Derailleur today. She came out of the forest onto the trail right behind me. We had been making lots of noise so surprised to see her. Once she saw me she dropped her head and charged for me. Avoided a serious incident by jumping over my bike and tree stump down the slope into the forest.

“Back tracked back to Ridgemont Rd and rode up the road to Eric’s trail entrance but who came wandering out of the forest again? Yes, momma moose and her calves. Turned around immediately, rode down Ridgemont Rd and called it quits for today.”

Moose Safety Tips

• Moose are wild animals and need to be given space and privacy. Never approach a moose. Give the animals a wide berth and ensure they always have an escape route.
• Female moose with calves need extra space. Moose cows are very protective of their young and may attack if they perceive a threat. If you come across a cow and calf, calmly leave the area immediately.
• Be aware of moose body language. A threatened moose may lower its head and flatten its ears before charging. If you see these behaviours, find an escape route.
• If a moose does charge you, getting inside a nearby building or car is the safest option, but hiding behind a large tree or other solid object may effectively block the charge.
• Dogs and moose don’t mix. A moose can seriously injure or kill a dog if it feels threatened. Likewise, loose dogs can harass moose, causing undue stress. Never let your dog out if there is a moose in your yard.
• Use caution when walking dogs; keep them under voice control and/or leash.  Dogs chasing wildlife may result in human/wildlife conflict.

WildSafeBC Elk Valley

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