Posted on 06/08/2015 11:13:49 AM PDT by Red Badger
A Montana camper saved a newborn moose, only to have it blown up by park authorities, together with its dead relatives.
Josh Hohm was camping at Gallatin National Forrest late last month when he spotted the orphaned calf.
The calf’s mother had died after giving birth to twins, according to the Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks. One of the twins lay dead alongside its mother.
Hohm found the calf that survived, took a few photos with it, and sought help.
“The camper called the sheriff and they called us, and our warden went up to euthanize the animal,” Montana FWP said.
Since the calf never suckled on its mother to get the necessary nutrients, authorities said, it would not have survived even if they rehabilitated it.
Wildlife officials said it was not an issue of cruelty. It was an issue of policy.
“We have a policy to not rehabilitate moose, deer and elk because of disease,” the FWP said. “We rehabilitate bears but we are not staffed to take care of animals that transmit disease.”
The moose was euthanized, then blown up, together with the carcasses of its mother and sibling. They were in a public campground and risked spreading diseases, authorities said.
“We are not Grim Reapers; we are in this business because we care about animals,” the FWP said.
Reached by CNN, Hohm explained how he found the calf, its stillborn sibling and their dead mother in a remote area about 40 miles outside Livingston, Montana. He said he spent about seven hours with the “alert, active and healthy” calf, with it even lying down with his dogs, before authorities arrived.
A warden told him he’d have to find another campsite because it wouldn’t be safe to be too close to the moose carcasses, given they might attract bears.
Hohm said he found out from a friend the next day how the calf had died, then was told it was because “the calf would not have survived and they had to do it because of the risk of disease.”
“I would have never called them if I knew,” he said.
CNN’s Greg Botelho contributed to this report.
Nature is cruel. Without Mom, the moose doesn’t have much of a chance.
I’m a firm believer in hunting. It is less cruel than nature. Starvation is an awful way to die.
Why does this happen? It tugs at our heart strings.
Nature is cruel. Life is a precious gift. Don’t waste life. Don’t be needlessly cruel. Read what Jesus taught.
Obamunist Islamonazis in the parks and recreation department???
“We rehabilitate, but we are not staffed to take care of Christians and Jews that transmit disease.”
Expecting that statement in the not too distant future from the government.
And they warned him to leave the area since bears may feast upon the “diseased” remains.
I’m thinking moose veal....
Moose can be very nasty. My sister has been traumatized ever since what happened to her.
They were afraid the moose might “bite someone’s sister!” Moose bites are very nasty!
We had some duck liver mousse pate over the weekend. It was delicius, I assume because of the moose.
#MOOSE LIVES MATTER!......................
A moose bit my sister once.
THEN SHE BLEW THE ****** ****** UP!
"I see what you did there."
“we are in this business because we care about animals....”
That’s why we blowed them up real good heh heh
I dunno - it seems to be lacking grace and reverence for life....if it never had a chance - why isn’t some less fortunate family dining on moose veal?
Wow, I wondered what ever happened to the guys that blew up the whale.
https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=exploding+whale
Killing that calf was the right thing to do. I don’t know why people get so damned bent out of shape on these matters.
Mynd you, møøse bites Kan be pretti nasti
I agree.
I have never even seen a moose, much less cared for one so I, or any other keyboard warrior have absolutely no business commenting on what should have been done.
The people that should have dealt with it would be park rangers/game wardens/wildlife officials... you know... people that make a living dealing with these animals.
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