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Moose loose

Skiers at Fernie Alpine Resort had a surprise on Sunday when they encountered a moose.

Skiers at Fernie Alpine Resort had a surprise on Sunday when they encountered a moose.

Several skiers spotted the animal walking down the Red Tree Road in Cedar Bowl. She then wandered to the bottom of the Haulback T-bar before disappearing into bushes.

Christine Grimble from Fernie Alpine Resort said ski patrol were warning skiers to be on the look out as they entered the Cedar Bowl, but said she had not heard of anyone being bothered by the moose.

“A number of people said they had seen a female moose wandering around. We have a protocol we follow when we have a reported animal encounter,” she said. “We request people to advise ski patrol if they see a wild animal.

“We assess the situation and may to decide to close a trail. But in this case, it was not necessary. We just had our ski patrol advise people that she was out there. She was not posing a threat to our guests.”

She said moose are more often seen in that area during the summer months.

Conservation officer Joe Caravetta said the best way to handle an encounter with a moose is to give it plenty of space.

“Make sure you keep some distance,” he said. “It could have a calf with it and if you get between it and it’s calf it will want to protect it and could become threatening.

“We don’t suggest making a lot of noise and waving like you would with, say a cougar. Instead, stay calm, just give it some space, back away and just let it continue along its way.”