WINDSOR LOCKS, Connecticut — A moose was euthanized early Monday morning after officials said it wandered too close to Interstate 91.
According to Department of Energy and Environmental Protection officials, they received a report of a moose within 20 feet of Interstate 91 southbound and the Route 20 exit ramp in Windsor Locks. DEEP consulted with other law enforcement agencies and euthanized the animal in the interest of public safety.
"When moose are roaming in high-traffic areas such as public highways, agency policy states that moose within 500 feet of an interstate highway are imminent threats to public safety and shall be euthanized," said DEEP spokesperson Will Healey in a statement, He said the moose's weight and height make them particularly dangerous to motorists and, when struck, moose often end up impacting vehicle windshields.
Studies have shown, said Healey, that a moose vs. car collision is 13 times more likely to result in a human fatality than a deer vs car collision. In 2023, there were five moose-vehicle accidents reported in the state.
Shooting large animals such as moose with tranquilizers near an extremely busy highway can create further risks, according to Healey. "Tranquilizers don’t take effect immediately and during that time, the animal may behave erratically or unpredictably, potentially running into roadways or creating other dangerous public safety situations putting both the animal and people at risk of injury or death."
Doug Stewart is a Senior Digital Content Producer at FOX61 News. He can be reached at dstewart@fox61.com.
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