Moose undisturbed by stun gun jolt

FAIRBANKS, Alaska, Feb. 16 (UPI) -- The Alaska Department of Fish and Game said biologists were unable to remove a rope from around a moose's neck despite employing a special wildlife stun gun.

The department said biologists had the stun gun specially shipped to use on the Fairbanks moose, which has had the rope around her neck since she was pulled from the Chena River Jan. 2 by people who saw her fall through the ice, the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner reported Wednesday.

The biologists said they attempted to stun the moose from 25 feet, the device's maximum effective distance, but the animal seemed unaffected.

"We got a couple shots at her, but we couldn't get both probes to stick, probably because of her thick winter hair," biologist Don Young said.

The team decided to allow the moose to wear the rope, which does not appear to be hindering its ability to breathe, eat or drink.

"She's not inhibited by the rope," Young said. "We watched her feed and it doesn't bother her. The rope is not hanging up on anything. It tracks right between her legs. It's a pretty short rope."