A Utah resident was used to regular visits from a moose outside his home, but then something truly magical happened.
James, from Park City, sent footage to Ring showcasing the unexpected moment captured on his doorbell camera. That footage was subsequently shared with Newsweek and makes for remarkable viewing.
“We get moose cows around here all the time,” James told Ring. Utah is home to anywhere between 2,500 and 3,000 moose. Despite the remarkable nature of these animals, local residents are advised to keep a distance.
Adult moose can weigh around 800 to 1,200 pounds, while bulls can stand as tall as 6 feet at the shoulder. With the animals capable of running up to 35 miles per hour, Wild Aware Utah, an education and information service on the state’s local wildlife, urges visitors not to approach or feed a moose.
While bull moose can be notably aggressive during the fall, cows with calves are especially volatile in the spring. Given the need for caution and keeping a distance, it is often rare to see moose interact with their calves. That is what makes James’s video so special.
It captures Maryanne, a moose who regularly appears outside their home, interacting with her calves in a way James and his family had never seen before. “This was the first time I’ve seen Maryanne pause right on my driveway to nurse her calves,” James said.
He only discovered what was happening when he checked his phone. “I got a motion alert and couldn’t believe what I was seeing,” he said. Watching via camera outside his home, James was speechless. “It was such a rare, peaceful moment,” he added.
Having seen such a powerful moment up close for himself, James was desperate for others to witness the same magic he had been so lucky to see. “I had to share it,” he said. “Pretty cool to witness nature like that up close.”
This isn’t the first time a security camera has captured extraordinary footage of a moose enjoying the great outdoors.
In May 2023, a homeowner in Spokane, Washington, was left terrified after two large moose appeared outside their home. Another video, captured in December 2022, meanwhile, captured the extraordinary moment a moose shed both of its antlers. There was also the terrifying clip, captured in August 2021, showcasing when a bull moose charged at a bystander.
Wild Aware Utah recommends anyone encountering a moose give the animal lots of space and back off if it exhibits any signs of aggression. These include: snout licking; their ears going back; or the hair on the moose’s neck standing up.
It is crucial to stay calm, move slowly and let your presence be known by talking. If a moose charges or chases, then Wild Aware Utah advises hiding behind a tree or another solid object. In the event that a moose does make contact and knock you down, the service recommends curling into a ball, protecting your head and lying still until the animal retreats.