Two 'idiot' tourists attacked by moose after taunting animal DESPITE being warned
BIG SKY, SOUTHWESTERN MONTANA: In a tragic turn of events, two "idiot" tourists in Montana were charged at by a wild moose after they tried to touch it, despite repeated warnings to stay away from the beast. The harrowing incident shows the pair taunting the animal and attempting to touch the animal while ignoring warnings from a local to step back.
The incident occurred in Big Sky, Southwestern Montana and the viral video recorded by Jason Holfensperger on the evening of March 29. "It's a goddamn wild animal, get the f**k away from it," Holfensperger told the two who in return laugh the advice off. However, when one of the men touches the back of the moose, the animal immediately turns around and charges at the man who then falls down after being struck by fear.
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What really happened?
"Is it your moose?" one of the two men ask when told not to go near it. "It's not my moose but it's a goddamn wild animal," responded Holfensperger. The two mockingly slowly proceed to shuffle towards the moose to taunt him. "A little closer, a little closer," one of them said provocatively. Holfensperger then pleaded with them again, saying, "Let it be wild. You don't have to... Christ, you guys must be the dumbest people I've ever met in my life," before adding, "Go ahead, try. Go ahead, try. See what happens." Replying to Holfensperger, who was still filming them and the moose, one of the men said, "You wish it would hit me right now."
Then, one of the men managed to touch the wild beast and swiftly attempted to flee. Meanwhile, the agitated moose, who had finally had enough, turned towards his taunters and charged. As he did, the man fell over and tried to scramble away on all fours in an attempt to escape the beast. As the moose charged at the two tourists, Holfensperger is heard saying in the video, "Get him!"
'Each moose has a different tolerance level'
The moose is one of the largest deer species and can reach 7 feet tall and weigh more than 1,500 pounds. They are known to run at a speed of 25 mph, which is around twice the speed of an average human being. The Alaska Department of Fish and Game advises that although moose are generally peaceful, but the beast can still pose a threat. "When people repeatedly approach them or chase them away, moose become stressed and agitated. Each moose has a different tolerance level, but if they are harassed enough, many moose will respond aggressively," it advises. "Fortunately most moose charges are bluffs, warning you to stay back." wrote the ADFG. "But if a moose does charge, don't wait to find out if it's bluffing. Run."