After what officials described as a “3-mile push into an isolated habitat,” the moose finally reached his preferred picnic spot.
BEAR LAKE, Idaho — A young bull moose with questionable vacation planning skills decided to celebrate Independence Day by taking an unauthorized stroll along Bear Lake State Park’s North Beach, prompting what officials dubbed an impromptu “parade” featuring some very confused law enforcement officers.
The four-legged party crasher apparently missed the memo that beaches are traditionally reserved for sunbathers.
According to the Idaho Department of Fish and Game (IDFG), the moose’s beach debut Friday morning required an all-hands-on-deck response involving Idaho Fish and Game personnel, Bear Lake State Park staff, the Bear Lake County Sheriff’s Office and Idaho State Police.
“This 4th of July morning, personnel from Idaho Fish and Game, Bear Lake State Park, Bear Lake County Sheriff’s Office and Idaho State Police, joined by one four-legged parade marshal, started their ‘parade route’ on Bear Lake State Park’s North Beach,” IDFG stated.
The beach was temporarily closed.
After what officials described as a “3-mile push into an isolated habitat,” the moose finally reached his preferred picnic spot.
“The moose can now relax and enjoy his own picnic,” IDFG stated, though they did not specify whether the department provided complimentary hot dogs and sparklers for the relocated reveler.
The incident serves as a reminder that wildlife doesn’t always read the fine print on holiday weekend plans and that sometimes the best Fourth of July parade is the one that gets you three miles away from the fireworks.