Sick moose(?)
 There has been a female moose hanging around our house for the past few days. She has chosen to bed down every night right outside our back door, literally so close, that if you opened the door, you could touch her  .Today, she spent the whole day laying down out there. This is not normal  . we are very worried that she is either: very ill (possibly dying ), or...about to give birth  Either way...oh crap  The dogs have even given up on barking at her. She totally ignores them. She will roll her eyes around to look, if I go back to the back door, and twitch her ears, but that's it. We have called Fish & Game, but as it is Memorial Day weekend, all we get is a recording. We were advised to call the Troopers if this turns into an emergency safety situation, but, otherwise there is nothing anybody can do. if she is either dying or giving birth, the BIG fear is bears...and unfortunately we had one on the property only this morning. I am seriously freaked  |
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 Oh no! Keep us updated and stay safe!! |
| That is pretty scary!!!!!! Hope she is okay! Stay safe! |
Well, she got up, finally...and oh yeah...*preggers!* She's currently mowing down all the ferns outside our kitchen window  .I'm completely baffled as to why she would be choosing to have her baby(s) in our yard  There have got to be quieter, calmer places available! The sheepies have been barking their heads off at her for days now, and Gertie (the beagle we are looking after) is, well...a beagle  so, continual yodeling  I have no idea how I'm going to get the dogs out to go potty before bedtime. She's now circling the yard (slowly) and no matter which door we go out, she's going to come around the corner within a few minutes. I guess Ill put them on leashes, and go out into the fenced area, although she can (and has) stepped right over the fence. |
| I am mesmerized by the thought Are Moose aggressive? I know nothing about them... I imagine protecting her young she may be? Please snap a pic if you can! Good Luck! |
Donner's Mom wrote: I am mesmerized by the thought Are Moose aggressive? I know nothing about them... I imagine protecting her young she may be? Please snap a pic if you can! Good Luck! Here she is...sorry for the terrible, hazy pic, it was taken trough the back door window.  Here's another shot, of Bert and the moose...Bert's a little freaked!  Yes, moose, especially under these circumstances are very dangerous. The worst fear though, is that a new calf (and the blood, etc of birth) has a very real chance of attracting bears. mamma moose vs hungry bear...no way do I want to get caught in the middle! |
| I was wondering if Mamma Moose is perhaps a smart moose. I have no moose experience being from upside down land but could the bear still be out there and the moose think that in close to humans will keep the bear at bay. I think I recall stories about bears getting less scared of humans lately so I might be totally off base with that theory. I hope your trespasser leaves soon. I can't imaging what I'd do if I couldn't get outside with the dogs to potty. |
I'm afraid I would not be as courageous as you ... the pups would be eliminating in the house. I wouldn't take a chance on meeting a momma moose or a hungry bear. Seeing them in the field or on the side of the road is about as up close or in your face as I want to be  |
| Wow that is scary! So essentially she is "nesting"? Is the birth imminent or do you have any way to know? |
| she may have lost a calf to a predator at one time, mim is on the right track as i'm in agreement that she's a smart girl (moose mama & mim). i have seen video of a calf playing with a families dogs in their backyard who had been born on their properties perimeter. the calf's mother was watching without any major concern. i have seen deer on multiple occasions give birth on lawns and then move them into perimeter weeds or forest. i was lucky enough 3 years ago to have twin fawns become so used to me since they were stashed in the overgrowth of my yard perimeter that they came out and played with me like pups before mom came back to get them at supper time. they later would hangout and eat even while i mowed the grass. anyway, the moose calf can run very fast 5 days after birth, so i'm thinking momma will be moving them back to the forest in a short time. hope it all works out peacefully, which i think it will. she obviously thinks it's safer to be at your backdoor with barking dogs than to drop her calf in the woods.  keep that camera handy. |
Mim and Guest: you may quite possibly have hit on the answer! This is exactly what my mother said when I called her  She's still laying down out back this AM. I have no idea how to tell if this is happening soon . We have blocked the lower half of window, so the dogs would stop fussing. When we went out last night, while she was walking around, she utterly ignored us. There are no more weeds (or planted stuff  ) above 3 or 4 inches tall anywhere around the house anymore . |
| Soon as I read the title I knew, she's using your property for a birthing room. It is not uncommon for them to take up residence near people ........I guess for security. Your dogs may be aiding in her recon. She knows there are bears about and hoping for a little extra protection. Somewhere there's a web photo of a moose giving birth on the front yard of a home or office. Hope she is willing to let the dogs do their duty. Keep the camera handy.....from inside. As you know moose are very dangerous. |
That is so cool.... take lots of pics!  I hope she's ok though.... something about the laying down pic, she doesn't look so good to me.... I would also wonder what else is out there that makes her want to stay close? Do you have cougars/mountain lions there? |
| My husband would be sooooooooo jealous. He was greatly disappointed not to have seen any moose when we went to the North Shore a couple of weeks ago. Tons of deer, which we see all the time in our corner of the state but moose are further up north and so our only chance to see them in the wild is when we go on vacation. I think everyone is right: mamma moose was looking for a safe place for her babies to be born. I think the love that must be radiating out of your home surely adds to the security of having noisy dogs about. However, I know that moose are not always the safest creatures to have about and of course, I'd be very cautious and worried about bear. Hope everything goes well and that you are all safe and take lots of pictures! |
Willowsprite wrote: That is so cool.... take lots of pics! I hope she's ok though.... something about the laying down pic, she doesn't look so good to me.... I would also wonder what else is out there that makes her want to stay close? Do you have cougars/mountain lions there? That was my feeling to Stacy, which is why our initial thought was "sick". She looks better in this pic than when she was actually laying flat at one point . I imagine that if its labor, she would naturally look pretty bad though .No, no big cats here at all. Wolves, black and brown bears, coyotes and very rarely (thankgod) wolverines. I haven't seen or heard the wolves lately (we have one specific local pack) and I don't think coyotes would take the risk. The bear we've had here has been tending to blast through our property at high speed, for some reason...so much so that I worry as much about being run over by him, as anything else I don't want to meet whatever has been spooking HIM! |
Quote: The bear we've had here has been tending to blast through our property at high speed, for some reason...so much so that I worry as much about being run over by him, as anything else I don't want to meet whatever has been spooking HIM! Bigger bear?? What species blasting through, smaller black bear or big Griz? Bears are already making presence known here. Drought is driving them in town for food and water.......so sad. Doesn't help this is the season for junvenile displacement. |
SheepieBoss wrote: Quote: The bear we've had here has been tending to blast through our property at high speed, for some reason...so much so that I worry as much about being run over by him, as anything else I don't want to meet whatever has been spooking HIM! Bigger bear?? What species blasting through, smaller black bear or big Griz? Bears are already making presence known here. Drought is driving them in town for food and water.......so sad. Doesn't help this is the season for junvenile displacement. The bear doing the high-speed dash down our side path has been a black bear. He may be running from a bigger bear, his own fed-up mama, or possibly our up-mountain neighbor has been shooing him off. We've seen grizzlies at a distance since they started waking up, but they do tend to be more cautious about approaching the house. I'm actually a lot more leery of black bears, as they are more predatory and reckless. That sucks, about the drought in your area Its scary and sad when wildlife gets that desperate. We are dry enough here, that wildfire is a constant worry too. |
| Just out of curiosity I googled for pics of healthy moose, to see if I could see any notable differences (I didn't really) but I did find some pics of the biggest moose I've ever seen! We do have a lot of them around here, and they ARE huge, but this one.... wow! The pic was taken near Elliot Lake, Ontario  |
Willowsprite wrote: Just out of curiosity I googled for pics of healthy moose, to see if I could see any notable differences (I didn't really) but I did find some pics of the biggest moose I've ever seen! We do have a lot of them around here, and they ARE huge, but this one.... wow! The pic was taken near Elliot Lake, Ontario WOW! That is one BIG boy! He's gorgeous!  Our girl is bigger than she looks in the photo...last night when she was up walking around, she was standing next to our truck and her back hump was above the cab. We took a bunch more pics (the funniest ones are pics of just the top of her head and her ears sticking up in our kitchen window )if she does give birth here, I'm thinking of calling my buddy Didier, who is a professional wildlife photographer to come out with his equipment. I'm such a crappy photographer  ! |
| WOW. Good luck with getting in/out and everything that entails with the dogs. This is a big deal with a lot of different scenarios attached. Keep us updated and take lots of pictures and video! |
| I agree with you gals.....she doesn't look so healthy! Well, from what I know, her eyes look sad |
| My first thought was that she might be coming in closer to civilization because she feels protected. Looks like that might be the case- http://www.biology-blog.com/blogs/perma ... moose.html A comfort to her but likely not you. I'd look to see if there's another study on people who end up with moose on their front porch. |
| OH MY!! I am just catching this. What a situation you are in! Please keep us updated. Sheepiepalooza AND this all in one weekend. Very exciting on the board right now. |
Abuckie wrote: 8O OH MY!! I am just catching this. What a situation you are in! Please keep us updated. Sheepiepalooza AND this all in one weekend. Very exciting on the board right now. Id much rather be at Sheepipalooza! I'm still very worried...she looks just awful at this point  she's breathing very heavily, and, although she's standing up, her legs look very shaky We've been in and out like normal all day, and have even gone ahead with our original Memorial day weekend plans: firing up the hottub and barbecue. She is so obviously unfazed and distracted that we've stopped worrying about spooking her or triggering any aggression. No sign of bears, and I'm kind of going with the idea that if we stay visible and active, that maybe that will keep them away for now   here she is last night, under our kitchen window |
ravenmoonart wrote: Abuckie wrote: 8O OH MY!! I am just catching this. What a situation you are in! Please keep us updated. Sheepiepalooza AND this all in one weekend. Very exciting on the board right now. Id much rather be at Sheepipalooza! I'm still very worried...she looks just awful at this point she's breathing very heavily, and, although she's standing up, her legs look very shaky We've been in and out like normal all day, and have even gone ahead with our original Memorial day weekend plans: firing up the hottub and barbecue. She is so obviously unfazed and distracted that we've stopped worrying about spooking her or triggering any aggression. No sign of bears, and I'm kind of going with the idea that if we stay visible and active, that maybe that will keep them away for now here she is last night, under our kitchen window I hope my post didn't sound flip Laurel. I know how worried you must be--- about everything.  How long is a moose typically in labor, before giving birth? I guess this may compare to a horse ? Or cow? I'm just so interested to see how this all turns out... |
| Is there a wildlife rescue you could call? I don't know if any of the info below is useful. You said she's definitely pregnant so it could be the natural progress of labor or a complication. Hoping all will be well. http://frontporchforum.com/blog/2007/06 ... -and-baby/ http://bolt.lakeheadu.ca/~alceswww/Suppl2/Suppl2_27.pdf I think this is from a moose farm in Russia... there are pictures on other sites. http://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&q=cac ... C_bQ&pli=1 |
Abuckie wrote: I hope my post didn't sound flip Laurel. I know how worried you must be--- about everything. How long is a moose typically in labor, before giving birth? I guess this may compare to a horse ? Or cow? I'm just so interested to see how this all turns out... No worries Lori...I was the one being "flip" I have NO clue how long this might take The dogs barked like crazy maniacs the last time she got up to walk around (a few hours ago) after being completely blase' about it all day ...and of course she decided (after days of ignoring them) to FREAK OUT So...she rushed the fence all hackles up, scaring the living crap out of all of us ...then took off running into the woods. Now...a few hours later...she's right back in her usual spot, calm as ever . |
| Hoping for a safe delivery and that mamma and baby make it back into the forest without attracting any undue attention from predators. And that you all get your lives back. I know this must be inconvenient, exciting, harrowing, nerve wracking for all of you. Thank you for keeping us posted. |
| Thanx for the interesting links Jaci! I found it amusing that the newborn moose pics in the one post kept getting claimed by so many different states! |
 More pictures... http://www.moosefarm.newmail.ru/e020.htm http://www.moosefarm.newmail.ru/e010.htm |
6Girls wrote: These sites are really interesting! Id heard of Russian moose farming, but had never seen any pictures of it  Particularly interesting (to me) was the thing they said about a mother moose's instinct to attack animals that come too close being "turned off" during labor (so she wont attack the newborn)...this explains a lot! You had asked (in an earlier post) about wildlife rescue...we called a bunch of different groups the first day, and pretty much the consensus is...if no one is in immediate danger from her, or any predators, it is considered best to let nature take its course. We've had to call Fish&Wildlife in before (twin black bear cubs in our neighbors crawlspace!) and bird rescue for a pair of baby great horned owls...and usually its "wait and see" if death, or danger to humans is not immanent. I understand...circle of life, and all that...but its frustrating  |
| Holy Crap that big moose picture blew me away. I had NO idea that moose got that big. I thought they were just a bit bigger than a horse, boy did I get that wrong! But then I didn't know how dangerous moose were till Laurel posted a while back about another moose visit. Interesting about the attack instinct toning down Laurel. I bet it switches back on plus some once the moose baby arrives. Hopefully she'll have her baby and leave you in peace. Good luck with your visitor. |
Mim wrote: Interesting about the attack instinct toning down Laurel. I bet it switches back on plus some once the moose baby arrives. Hopefully she'll have her baby and leave you in peace. Good luck with your visitor. Well...if I wanted to follow the instructions from jaci's moose farming website, I could run out there and rub some of the amniotic fluid on my hands to keep her friendly ...ummm....or not  Worried all over again today for a different reason...she's vanished from the property. I know that's silly, considering how worried Ive been about her having the calf here...now I'm worried that we missed it |
LOL  Congratulations on the birth of your new calf. Quote: You had asked (in an earlier post) about wildlife rescue... I was just wondering if you'd be able to get some info about "normal" moose behavior. I agree that when they're in the wild, things usually just have to play out... not easy but understandable. The local zoo allowed an in-labor bobcat to die naturally... that I had a problem with after seeing her suffering while in the city's care and control. Quote: Worried all over again today for a different reason...she's vanished from the property. I know that's silly, considering how worried Ive been about her having the calf here...now I'm worried that we missed it A bigger worry would have been what to do with a moose carcase on your front porch. |
6Girls wrote: LOL Congratulations on the birth of your new calf. Quote: You had asked (in an earlier post) about wildlife rescue... I was just wondering if you'd be able to get some info about "normal" moose behavior. I agree that when they're in the wild, things usually just have to play out... not easy but understandable. The local zoo allowed an in-labor bobcat to die naturally... that I had a problem with after seeing her suffering while in the city's care and control. Quote: Worried all over again today for a different reason...she's vanished from the property. I know that's silly, considering how worried Ive been about her having the calf here...now I'm worried that we missed it A bigger worry would have been what to do with a moose carcase on your front porch. All very true Yeah, when we called all the agencies (fish and wildlife, fish and game, animal control) it was all pre-recorded messages (memorial day weekend) that said call the troopers in an emergency. So, I called my uncle, who works for Fish and Game, and he told me they wouldn't be able to do anything anyway. He was (based on my description) the first to say: "she's probably not ill...she's in labor". My mother (who I called next) added the sage advise: "dont worry if she eats the placenta, its really disturbing, but normal"...thanks Mom, for THAT image . I now know more about Moose behavior and biology than I ever thought I would, and that's after more than 40 years of living nears and around them! |
| Oh, don't ya love it when family attempts to relieve our worries? I was going to share what the one article said on how to help insure she wouldn't attack you after the calf/calves were born... Quote: It is recommended that the moose breeder or milkmaid stay nearby moose cows during labor- no more that 5 meters away from them (3). In this case the person is imprinted by the moose cow, a one of favorable components of an environment in which parturition has occurred. Really glad that bit of info wasn't needed. Thinking it's best she headed back into the woods... |
6Girls wrote: Oh, don't ya love it when family attempts to relieve our worries? I was going to share what the one article said on how to help insure she wouldn't attack you after the calf/calves were born... Quote: It is recommended that the moose breeder or milkmaid stay nearby moose cows during labor- no more that 5 meters away from them (3). In this case the person is imprinted by the moose cow, a one of favorable components of an environment in which parturition has occurred. Really glad that bit of info wasn't needed. Thinking it's best she headed back into the woods... The cool thing is, we could easily have stayed within the "5 meter" zone, and still been inside the house! Her laying-down area was right next to the back steps...only about 3 feet from the windowed door! I wonder if that would have worked, or if she'd need to smell you as well? |
| This was all just so totally amazing. I can probably say that most of us will never get the opportunity you had to experience this. Quote: I wonder if that would have worked, or if she'd need to smell you as well? She may be back next year. We'll be waiting to hear which one works! |
ravenmoonart wrote: My mother (who I called next) added the sage advise: "dont worry if she eats the placenta, its really disturbing, but normal"...thanks Mom, for THAT image . I now know more about Moose behavior and biology than I ever thought I would, and that's after more than 40 years of living nears and around them! Dogs are the same, eating the placenta if they can without removal by us, too many causes green poos and loosies too, at least there not MOOSE size when they come out All I can say is WOW what an experience to see and at least no bears around, I dont blame momma moose for wanting to rest before birth on your back door step and area then in the woods. I am totally amazed at mooses as we have nothing like that here and cant get over the size of them too, beats a bear knocking at your back door!! Wonder if she will be back next year |
| What?? That's it?? No pictures of the Mama Moose and her calf? No "Let's name the baby games"? No "oohs and awws" of how cute the little one is? That Mama moose sure let us down. How dare she go back to the woods before the birth was over! I know it's the best thing for you Laurel, and I am sure you are relieved, but I sure am mad at that moose. |
All I can say is Wow. It's sure exciting where you live. I assure you nothing like that has ever happened in my back yard.  I know it's better off back in the woods, but gosh, it would've been really cool to have a baby moose born on your back door step. Cool, Laurel. Really cool. |
| I'm just reading the entire episode now...WOW!! Sad to hear that she left in the dark of the night. I was really wanting pictures! BTW, sheep eat the afterbirth/placentas as well. I was used to it w/ dogs and it seems normal, but it does look really odd to see sheep doing that. |
| This pales in comparison but we had a lil' ol' black bear in town... HERE it's a big deal! Just look at all the crazy bystanders in my town... thinking they have no sense! http://photos.record-eagle.com/News-and ... 017_DpBJv3 |
got sheep wrote: I'm just reading the entire episode now...WOW!! Sad to hear that she left in the dark of the night. I was really wanting pictures! Im hoping she comes back with the calf! I really wanted to at least get some cool baby moose pics out of this whole deal! |
ravenmoonart wrote: got sheep wrote: I'm just reading the entire episode now...WOW!! Sad to hear that she left in the dark of the night. I was really wanting pictures! Im hoping she comes back with the calf! I really wanted to at least get some cool baby moose pics out of this whole deal! Me too! |
| Very exciting thread to read. I remember canoeing on a lazy meandering river and nearly bumping into a moose. I was back paddling as hard as I could while my canoeing partner was trying to get closer for a picture. Closer than what? I could see the eyes of the flies on the moose's behind. Scary. I hope that your moose comes back with her baby one day! Thanks for posting this, I found it fascinating. |
Mady wrote: I could see the eyes of the flies on the moose's behind.  I don't know how to turn this the correct way, sadly...but, (butt  ) you get the idea. |
| That view looks so familiar! |
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