The appearance of young bull moose in southern Gering led to some excitement as the sun started to rise Friday morning.
Nebraska Game and Parks Conservation Officer Josh Widhelm tells KNEB News Gering Police took a call about the animal before sunrise, and once it was light out, the moose was found laying down in the ball fields near Oregon Trail Park.
Widhelm says after a pause to allow morning vehicle and school traffic to die down, the moose started to move, but being inside town it became a bit confused on where to go. “We were trying to corral it out of town, and push it out of town so it could hopefully go to the hills or river, and find its way from there,” said Widhelm. “But it kept running deeper into town, and finally we were able to corral it out more east toward Highway 71, and we got it under the overpass that goes over Sugar Factory Road, and off into a canal. I’m sure laying down and taking a break now, because he’s pretty tired.”
Widhelm says it’s possible the moose is the same one spotted in Banner County a few weeks ago.
He says it’s anybody’s guess as to why the young bull made its way into the area, whether seeking a mate, being forced out of mountains to the west by older males, or even confusion caused by disease.
If you see the moose, do not harass him, and give him plenty of space for mutual safety.
