Colorado Parks and Wildlife officers successfully removed a cow and two calf moose from River Creek Park on Wednesday and relocated them outside of Steamboat Springs city limits for the safety and well-being of the moose and the public.

“We did safely relocate them to an area outside of town limits that is going to be a much better place for them to be,” said Rachael Gonzales, public information officer for Parks and Wildlife.

“When you’re looking at the habitat in this area, it is amazing habitat. Those willows and water is exactly what moose want, and it’s where they thrive,” Gonzales said. “But what we’re really looking at is the bigger picture — this park is located right in the middle of a not-so-great spot, and right now you have the water running really high in the Yampa, and if the mom had tried to cross and the calves had tried to follow, they probably wouldn’t survive. They’re just too young.”

The park is located adjacent to the Yampa River Core Trail at the intersection of U.S. Highway 40 and Walton Creek Road.

“After monitoring the moose and her young over the last 48 hours, we determined they were very comfortable in the area and not going to move on their own,” said Justin Pollock, assistant area wildlife manager. “While this area is perfect habitat for moose, the risk not only to their safety in a populated area and the safety of people was too high, which is why we chose to relocate them.”

Parks and Wildlife said in a news release that officers were able to tranquilize the cow moose and load her into a horse trailer where she was given a drug to reverse the sedation drugs. Both calves were then picked up, fully awake, and placed into the trailer with blindfolds to reduce stress. The cow moose was fitted with a collar and will be monitored by Parks and Wildlife as part of a moose population and movement study being conducted in Steamboat Springs.

Gonzales said the moose and calves were safely transported to an area outside of Steamboat Springs and monitored by CPW for a brief period. 

The relocated cow moose is the same one involved in the Sunday attack in which a woman was seriously injured and taken to the hospital, and later flown to the Front Range. Parks and Wildlife, as well as city police, were unable to provide any updates on the woman’s condition Wednesday afternoon.  

A paddleboarder who stopped to help the injured woman also received minor injuries after being kicked by the moose while helping the victim get to safety. Gonzales said the woman was walking two leashed dogs, and believes she may have startled the moose, which was hidden in nearby willows along with two newborn calves.

“The dogs were able to get out of the area,” Gonzales said. “One dog was found in the parking lot, fine, with the leash still on the dog. The other dog made its way home, so both dogs are fine.”

The city has reopened River Creek Park. Parks and Wildlife and the city of Steamboat want to remind the public that it is not uncommon to see moose in and around town. Moose are often found in areas near water with an abundance of willows, which is their primary food source.

It is important to maintain a safe distance from moose, never approach them, and keep your dogs on a leash when hiking in moose habitat. If you know there is a moose in the area or see signs warning about an aggressive animal, it’s recommended that people find another place to spend time outdoors.

Gonzales said moose can blend into the background that is found in and around Steamboat and that visitors and residents must always be vigilant. In Sunday’s incident, she said, the injured woman was following all rules and recommendations but still was unable to avoid the situation.

“Things happen even when we follow all of the rules,” Gonzales said. “In places like Steamboat it’s important to be extra vigilant when you’re recreating. Maybe that means keeping your dog on a shorter leash … maybe don’t walk or jog with headphones. I know we all want to listen to our favorite playlist, or that audio book we’ve been sucked into, but you are probably going to hear an animal before you ever see the animal. Moose are really big, but they can blend in so well.”