It’s easy for ancient structures to fade into the landscape, becoming forgotten relics hidden by years of dense overgrowth. Recently, a rather unlucky moose stumbled into one of these forgotten structures. Trapped in an old, hidden well, the young moose may have been stuck underground for good if not for the local community’s quick thinking!
A Young Moose and a Hidden Well
Moose are the biggest deer species in the world.
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A young bull moose recently had a heart-stopping encounter with a forgotten part of history hidden amid a sprawling, 100-acre private property in Pembroke, Maine. While likely minding his own business, the moose stumbled through a 6-foot-wide opening and fell into an 8-foot-deep well. Years of overgrowth and dense vegetation had completely obscured the deep, dark pit. Even the property owners were unaware of its existence. Hand-dug and lined with stones, the well is likely very old, perhaps hidden for several decades.
Discovery and Danger
Male bull moose grow a new pair of antlers each spring.
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No one knows exactly how long the young bull moose was trapped. The well was so out of sight that it wasn’t until someone caught the slight movement of the animal’s antlers that they realized something was out of place. In fact, the rescue team from wildlife services couldn’t spot the moose until they were practically right on top of the well.
The poor animal was in a precarious and dangerous predicament. The well was deep enough to prevent any escape attempt. Its narrow vertical shaft left the moose hardly any room to move. A few feet of chilly water at the base of the well could make footing difficult and increase the risk of injury from slipping or stumbling. Stress, exhaustion, and shock posed serious threats to the young animal. The moose could have easily injured himself by struggling or bumping against the thick stone walls.
The Rescue
Bull moose begin to grow their first set of antlers during their first year.
©Patrick Herlihy/Shutterstock.com
From the moment of discovery to the final rescue of the young moose, the operation took about five hours. However, because the well was so well hidden, it is likely the young bull had been trapped for quite some time before being discovered.
Fortunately, neighbors, wildlife services, and various community members quickly assembled to try to rescue the trapped animal. State wildlife biologist Steven Dunham administered a dose of animal-safe sedation using a syringe pole. The group waited while the moose grew drowsy. Once Dunham felt it was safe, he carefully climbed down into the well beside the still-standing but drowsy moose and secured the animal with straps.
To prevent the moose from panicking if it woke up, a resourceful young man offered his own shirt to serve as a blindfold for the animal. Once the moose was secured, an excavator hoisted the animal up and out of the well, returning him safely to the ground.
Dunham gave the moose a reversal drug to counteract the initial anesthetic. The young bull was understandably groggy, but after regaining his balance, he quickly ran off into the woods. He appeared otherwise healthy and unharmed after his harrowing experience.
