Wayward moose captivates Calais Dart shot pushes animal into woods

CALAIS – A shot in the rear with a tranquilizer dart and police in hot pursuit apparently persuaded a wayward moose to stop hanging out on the streets of this border community.

Police said they believed the moose had been hanging around because it was still mating season.

But waving arms and a chase by police on Friday finally drove the yearling into the woods, and on Monday there were no reports of a moose sighting.

Before the 400-pound moose departed, it kept Calais police busy for weeks as they chased it around back yards in an effort to keep it from walking out onto the road and causing an accident. The moose seemed to be fairly unconcerned as it strolled along several back yards, munching on brush and watching those who were watching it.

It visited several residential areas in the city’s Milltown area, and was spotted near the Wal-Mart store on South Street last Wednesday.

On Friday, area residents called police to report that the yearling was back. Police, along with officers from the state Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, went to Garfield Street armed with a dart gun. They decided to chase it into the woods first.

“Inland Fisheries and Wildlife decided to attempt to tranquilize the moose and release it at the [Moosehorn National] Wildlife Refuge,” Sgt. Josh Moffitt said. “We actually chased it through the woods for some time that morning, before they were able to … dart it.”

Officers watched for about 90 minutes, but the moose did not doze off. Instead it wandered deeper into the woods. “I think it got tired of all the pressure and left town on its own,” he said.

Moffitt said the moose did not require a police escort.

The sergeant said he was glad the moose had retreated because he had feared it might have to be destroyed. “Because it was either going to cause an accident,” he said. “or someone would get hurt [if the moose should charge].”