Moose at Fargo, N.D., hotel taken to wild

FARGO, N.D., Oct. 15 (UPI) -- Authorities in North Dakota said a moose spotted grazing in a hotel courtyard was tranquilized and transferred to a wildlife area.

Police Sgt. Jeff Skuza said authorities were first notified of the moose's presence at the Mainstay Suites in Fargo, N.D., early Wednesday, the Minneapolis Star-Tribune reported Thursday.

Skuza said a veterinarian was called when the moose showed "no sign of trying to leave" and the vet shot the moose with a tranquilizer dart.

The North Dakota Game and Fish Department said the moose was transported by a front-end loader to the Erie Dam Wildlife Management Area, located northwest of the city.

Officials said the moose was marked with a white "X" on each shoulder to warn away hunters, as the tranquilizer remains in the animal's muscle tissue and could be harmful if eaten.