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Moose Roams Close To Homes In Parker Area

Parker Moose
(credit: CBS)

PARKER, Colo. (CBS4) - Police are telling people to stay clear of a moose roaming southeast of Denver.

Over the last few weeks the moose has been spotted as far as Elizabeth. But Monday the moose was drawing crowds while sitting in a gulch in the Stonegate neighborhood near Jordan Road and Lincoln in Parker, a busy and heavy populated intersection.

Many people were showing up to catch a glimpse of the moose but wildlife officials have been turning them away because they say the animal has become stressed.

A reverse 911 call was sent out to the area to remind residents and children coming home from school not to provoke the moose.

"You don't get to be up this close to these animals and have one right in your own backyard. It's really exciting," neighbor Claudia Hathaway said.

Hathaway has lived in the Stonegate neighborhood for 21 years and has seen plenty of coyotes and foxes, but never a moose.

From grown men to parents and babies, everyone wanted a glimpse of the moose.

"I always want to give people the enjoyment to snap a couple of pictures, but then definitely retreat very quickly because we don't want to crowd these animals," Justin Olson with Colorado Parks and Wildlife said.

Moose have sometimes caused injuries to people or in some cases trampled them to death if they have chosen to defend their territory or gotten scared.

Fifty to 100 yards is a good distance to keep. It was something Denise Duran read up on before she showed up.

"Not get too close, use telephoto lens and just watch and enjoy from afar," Duran said. "You live in Colorado and you get the chance to see these things and you've got to take advantage. I just hope nothing sparks him to get angry or happen to him."

So far the moose has not been aggressive toward people or animals, so wildlife officials will watch and wait for him to head back home.

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