MARLBOROUGH, Mass. — A moose was seen wandering around a backyard in the area of Shawmut Avenue in Marlborough early Tuesday morning. Officers from the Marlborough Police Department and the Massachusetts Environmental Police quickly set up a perimeter around the area to capture the gentle giant.
MassWildlife determined this was a six-year-old cow (moose) weighing an estimated 600 pounds.
Because the moose was in a densely populated area, there was a heightened risk of the moose causing a car crash or some other public safety hazard. State officials determined the best option was to immobilize the animal and move it to a more suitable habitat.
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The moose was peacefully sedated with a tranquilizer dart, tagged, and transported to northern Worcester county. Following animal care standard protocols, a MassWildlife biologist stayed with the moose and observed it safely stand and walk away into the woods.
There were no injuries to any law enforcement or moose during the incident.
Biologists believe the cow moose was in the area looking for new sources of food during the winter thaw. Suburban areas are planted with an abundance of soft ornamental shrubs and trees which are rich in calories, according to MassWildlife.
Earlier today, Officers responded to the report of a moose in Marlboro. Given the heavily populated area, it was determined the safest course of action was to relocate the moose. With the assistance of MassWildlife, the moose was successfully relocated without issue. pic.twitter.com/t6WUIp6gGZ
— MAEnviroPolice (@MAEnviroPolice) February 22, 2022
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