Loose moose tranquilized and relocated from Montana park

Oct. 12 (UPI) -- Authorities in Montana said they shut down a city park so they could safely tranquilize and relocate a bull moose that wandered into town.

The Belgrade Police Department said officers responded to the west side of town on Sunday alongside personnel from the Gallatin Valley Sheriff's Office, Belgrade Public Works, Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks and Central Valley Fire District.

The police department posted photos to Facebook showing "Bullwinkle" the moose being directed toward Lewis and Clark Park, which authorities closed off to the public so the moose could be safely relocated.

Police said the moose was first reported in town about 9:45 a.m. Sunday and officers were concerned about a crowd of onlookers that appeared to be causing the animal anxiety.

The responders were able to guide the moose to the park.

"We just kept everyone out of [the park] and away from the moose," Police Chief RJ Clark told the Belgrade News.

Clark said officials waited until the moose appeared calm before tranquilizing the animal.

The moose was loaded onto a trailer and relocated to a safe area a few miles outside of the city.

Andrea Jones, information and education manager for FWP, said moose can be aggressive this time of year because it's their mating season.

"They can appear more docile than other wildlife and may seem to move slow, but moose can be dangerous," Jones said.