One of two moose roaming the streets of Moscow late last week has been rescued after nearly drowning in a pond, several local media outlets reported.
The first moose was spotted venturing into a mall in a northeastern suburb of Moscow on Friday, according to the Komsomolskaya Pravda tabloid. A witness was cited as saying “[the moose] walked for a while and then laid down on the asphalt.”
“He was more than likely looking for food,” the Podmoskovye Segodnya outlet quoted another witness as saying.
A nearby park ranger told Komsomolskaya Pravda that the moose was eventually led back into a national park.
Later on Friday, a second moose was spotted blocking traffic near the Vykhino metro station. Social media users shared footage of the antlered animal walking alongside police cars.
After breaking from police captivity, the moose was spotted swimming in a nearby pond, the state-run RIA Novosti news agency said.
Rescuers brought the moose ashore by pressing it between two inflatable boats, RIA cited an unnamed civil defense department official as saying.
It was reportedly retrieved from the Bolshoi Grafsky pond in south-east Moscow with a crane and climbing equipment, local media reported.
The tranquilized moose was expected to make a recovery at the Losiny Ostrov national park, according to Komsomolskaya Pravda.
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.
