New York State Officials Euthanizes Popular Moose

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation euthanized a moose that was gaining some national attention for its rare spot to rest all Summer long in New York State.

In New York State, moose sightings are very, very rare, but there was one moose that was getting a lot of attention and a lot of tourist stops because it was on a popular hiking trail in the Adirondack mountains. There are only a few hundred of moose that call New York State home, so it was treat that some were able to see the moose up very close, but the bull moose was getting very, very sick and it took some time for officials to make the euthanize the animal. The moose was hardly moving toward the end and was not even reacting to humans. The DEC and other officials were monitoring the situation by using trail cams. The moose had been there since at least May where it wasn't really moving away too much. It was not until late August that the New York State DEC made their decision.

A necropsy will be performed to determine the potential cause of the moose’s failing health and unusual behavior. The DEC said “euthanizing a moose, or any animal, is always a last resort and DEC only advances euthanasia when the animal is suffering or presents an immediate public health or safety risk", according to the Explorer.

The DEC shut down the trail a couple of months ago, and it is last reported that the trail is still shut down because the moose will not simply leave. All summer long tourists would go try and sneak up and see the moose, but it would not go away. Vets and other officials determined that the moose was probably sick from the beginning, but waited. Trail cameras were set up so that they could monitor the moose and regular visits were happening before animal experts noticed that the moose was getting dangerously skinny and eventually was not even having a reaction when humans tried to get near it, proving it was very weak.