HARTFORD — Moose sightings have been on the rise in Connecticut, prompting the state’s environmental agency to remind residents to keep a respectful distance from New England’s largest mammal.
The animals should not be approached, Dwayne Gardner of the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection warned in a press release Tuesday. Drivers should be on the lookout for the animals — especially at night, he said.
People have reported seeing moose recently in Farmington, East Haddam and New Milford, Gardner said. Connecticut’s moose population is estimated at 100 to 150 animals.
On Tuesday morning a moose was found wandering through the parking lot of the New Milford Hospital, according to police. Responding officers were able to stop traffic on several nearby streets and direct the animal into some nearby woods, police said. It was last seen heading towards Second Hill Road.
Moose most often are found in the wooded northeastern and northwestern corners of the state, but have been spotted mostly everywhere else, said Gardener.
Although moose usually are shy, they can feel threatened and become aggressive when encountering people or pets. They also may demonstrate unpredictable behavior if they wander into populated areas, Gardner said.
Moose near roads and highways are particularly dangerous because once they are struck, they are more likely to collapse onto windshields because of their height. They also are hard to see at night because of their dark color, he said.
All moose and deer-vehicle collisions should be reported to local or state authorities — specifically to the DEEP’s Environmental Conservation police at 860-424-3333. Residents also are encouraged to report moose sightings on the DEEP web site at http://www.ct.gov/deep/wildlife.
Text by Christine Dempsey, Hartford Courant; Video by Beau Berman.