Nebraskans in the eastern part of the state could see a moose wandering in the area — a phenomenon that experts say likely hasn’t occurred in a decade.
A male moose has made its way into the Cornhusker State and was spotted traveling through Nance County, according to Lucas Negus, the northeast district manager for the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission’s wildlife division. On Thursday, the moose was reportedly spotted farther south in Hamilton County, the local sheriff’s office said.
“It’s uncommon, but not unheard of,” Negus said.
Game and Parks is tracking the bull, which likely came to Nebraska from northwestern North Dakota or northeastern Minnesota on its search for a mate, Negus said.
Minnesota is home to an estimated 4,040 moose and North Dakota has about 500. They’re most often found in states like Colorado, Idaho, Alaska and Wyoming.
While it can be more common for the animals to travel into the state’s panhandle because of the area’s river systems, it’s fairly rare for one to be seen in this part of the state, Negus said.
It’s been a decade since eastern Nebraska has had its last known visit from a moose, the most recent sighting occurring in 2015, he believes.
Game and Parks is working to track the moose through sighting reports as it does not have any tracking devices or monitors on it.
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The bull was first spotted in Nebraska in Keya Paha County near Springview close to the South Dakota border. It was then reported in Nance County, about 110 miles northwest of Lincoln, about two weeks ago.
Negus said they’ll let the moose continue on its way uninterrupted and will only intervene on its journey if it becomes too accustomed to people or settles too close to a residential area or in places such as farms or feed lots.
Hopefully, the moose will realize it’s traveled far from home and will safely make his way back to North Dakota or Minnesota to rejoin established moose populations, Negus said.
While it’s an exciting experience, Negus said people who come across the moose should leave it be and avoid making contact with it.
Moose are large, wild animals but are usually not dangerous to humans. However, they can become aggressive, even deadly, when provoked, especially during mating season in the fall. Moose have also been known to view dogs as predators, even when leashed.
“View it from your vehicle. If you’re going to stop, stop on the road or roadway and look at it,” Negus said, while also advising people to pull over safely to prevent accidents. “Don’t approach it. Don’t let your pets approach it, and just let it go on its way.”
If you see the moose, Negus encourages you to maintain a safe distance and submit a report with the Game and Parks to aid their efforts in tracking it.
“It’s a neat animal to see here in Nebraska, but I just hope it passes through safely and gets back to its more native habitat,” he said.
Reach Jenna Ebbers at 402-473-2657 or jebbers@journalstar.com.
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Jenna Ebbers
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