December 24, 2013
For some reason, my readers really love stories about moose. One of my most popular blog posts EVER was called "Moose Emergency," and provoked an outpouring of writing from my readers! Once again this year, a story about rescuing a baby moose proved to be very popular and for that reason it is the #8 story of the year.
A Pennsylvania doctor on a Montana fishing trip caught something very surprising - a 25-pound baby moose!
Dr. Karen Sciascia and her guide were fishing in Montana’s Big Hole River when they spotted a moose trying to cross the rushing water. "We were watching this adult female struggling back and forth, and we didn’t see a baby until we got close," said Dr. Sciascia.
The current was so fast that even the large adult moose struggled, and when her calf entered the water it was swept downstream.
Sciascia and guide Seth McLean followed downriver, finally spotting the tiny moose’s nose just above the water. "We got up alongside it, and I scooped it up from the river under its front legs," Sciascia said. "It was [still] breathing, and I could feel its heart beating real fast."
McLean rowed the raft upstream and they dropped off the calf at the other side of the river. The mother had disappeared into the woods but returned to the river after hearing the crying of her young calf. "It was cool to be in the right place at the right time," Sciascia said.
Thanks to the Missoulian for the information in this story.
Photo: Four Rivers Fishing Company
Posted by: Seymour Simon
