As deep snow continues to move wildlife closer to residential areas in Idaho this winter, humans, and wildlife are once again intersecting.
After toxic, residential shrubs were to blame for the death of 50 pronghorn and eight elk this month, another large mammal has gotten a little too close for comfort.
On Saturday night, the Blaine County Sheriff’s Office was called to a Hailey, Idaho home to investigate a break and enter of a slightly different nature. A cow moose had managed to fall through a window and found itself trapped inside a residential basement, leaving both the homeowners and authorities puzzled as to how to release the animal.
Together the Blaine County Deputies, officers from Hailey and Bellevue and Idaho Fish and Game Conservation officer Alex Head attempted to corral the moose up the staircase and eventually out the front door.
With no cooperation and a couple of charges by the frightened animal, officers were unable to move the moose in the direction as planned and enlisted the aid of Wildlife Manager Daryl Meints around 3:00 am Sunday morning. Meints carefully applied narcotics to sedate the large animal and in a team effort, all present hoisted the animal up the stairs and outdoors.
The animal woke from its sedated slumber in due time and while slightly groggy, eventually found her way home.
