An unexpected encounter with a moose in Central New York caused many passersby and hopeful spotters to gather along the side of the road this week.
On Monday, a young moose was seen strolling by the Volunteer Fire Company of Western, Inc. in Westernville, NY according to News Channel 2.
It then wandered onto a soccer field and nearby yards where it spent time basking in the attention of excited residents. Traffic was backed up on State Route 46 from those trying to get a peek.
The photogenic bull garnered lots of attention on social media.
“Finally I’ve waited forever to see a moose in the wild,” Jessie Burns wrote on Facebook, with a collection of photos she took of the animal.
Shelly Fazekas Privett spent a couple of hours on her day off watching the creature and capturing photos.
“My favorite animal ever!” she wrote on Facebook.
While not uncommon to see a moose in more northern areas such as the Adirondack Mountains, they are not typically seen in Central New York. According to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), early fall is the breeding season for moose in northern New York. Moose are wandering looking for mates during this time and sometimes heading into places where they are not typically seen.
The DEC warns that while this means more people might get the enjoyment of seeing a moose in the backyard, it could also be dangerous for motorists as the dark brown coat makes them hard to see at dawn and dusk when they are most active. Their tall height also puts their head and much of their body above vehicle headlights.
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