After a month, wildlife officials stand by plan to let Billings moose 'leave on its own'

[Ptah]

The moose is likely stressed and shed his antlers earlier than usual.

BILLINGS - At last check, the Billings moose is still hanging around town, and after a month of taking up residence in the city the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Parks is still choosing to let the animal decide to leave on its own.

“We're making sure the moose isn't causing a serious threat to public safety or personal property. That's really the motivating factor to move forward on your location,” said Chrissy Webb with FWP.

Webb says the agency doesn’t have a state policy or protocol for when it’s time to move an animal from an urban setting. She also says each decision is on a case-by-case basis.

In 2021, Bozeman wildlife officials chose to tranquilize a bull moose and move it from a parking lot near a Target store. It took eight people to load him up.

https://www.ktvq.com/news/local-news/after-a-month-wildlife-officials-stand-by-plan-to-let-billings-moose-leave-on-its-own

[2naSalit]

1. They didn't say...

Where he is but billings beyond the city proper is kind of spread out and there are plenty of routes it could take to leave the more populated area.

I hope there's a positive resolve.

[Ptah]

2. Neighbors say Billings moose appears injured

BILLINGS — It’s been over a month since the moose in Billings has been on the loose, and neighbors are concerned with its mobility.

Billings resident Tess Lehman and her husband Tim have gotten used to seeing the notorious moose wander along the irrigation ditch behind their backyard around Poly Drive and Parkhill Avenue.

“The poor thing, you know, you look out your window and there’s this moose crawling,” said Tim on Monday.

However, this weekend, they noticed something strange going on with the animal and shot video as evidence.

https://www.ktvq.com/news/local-news/residents-say-billings-moose-appears-injured

[2naSalit]

3. Looks malnurished.

There's something going on.

That lady in the video looks familiar, but I can't be sure if it's who I think it might be.

[Ptah]

4. Billings moose euthanized by wildlife department

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks euthanized on Thursday a young bull moose that had been hanging around midtown Billings since early October.

The moose was in poor health and struggled to walk, according to FWP. The animal had gained notoriety in recent weeks, and neighbors had reported it was looking sick.

FWP staff has closely monitored the animal giving it time to move out of town and into a more suitable environment.

Wildlife health experts with FWP determined the moose was too unhealthy for a successful relocation to the wild. The potential spread of disease was also a factor.

https://www.ktvq.com/news/local-news/billings-moose-euthanized-by-wildlife-department

[2naSalit]

5. Yeah...

Heard that yesterday afternoon. It wasn't looking good for him after a time.