Watch a Hungry Grizzly Bear Sneak Up on a Moose Family

Key Points:

• When approached by a bear, a moose will usually run away and can reach speeds of 35 mph.
• Moose are the largest of all the deer family and an adult can be six feet to the shoulder.
• Usually, solitary except during breeding season, a moose without calves would put up a fight against a grizzly.

On the icy shores of a lake, a mother moose makes a fatal error in not taking the approach of a grizzly bear seriously. All we can do is watch as the bear approaches and then takes one of her calves. She seems to be helpless and simply lets it happen.

Bears as Predators

We see the grizzly spot the moose and her two calves on the water’s edge. The Mom moose is standing in the water but the two calves are curled up on the shore. As the grizzly slowly approaches, we can see the unmistakable muscular hump between the shoulder blades. We can also note the ‘grizzled’ appearance of the fur.

One of the calves gets up in time and bolts into the water to be with the mother. The other is not so fast and pays the ultimate price. The Mom looks on helplessly.

Moose are the largest of all the deer family and an adult can be six feet to the shoulder. They feed on plants and that includes aquatic plants which explains why this female may be close to the water. They live a solitary life apart from during the breeding season and are very peaceful apart from when challenged by a predator.

Their predators include brown bears and they would usually be expected to put up a fight.

Moose Fighting Off Bears

Moose are preyed upon by bears, wolves, and humans. They provide a valuable source of meat for both black and brown bears. An adult moose would provide multiple meals for a bear but is more of a challenge to catch. If possible, bears target the calves.

When approached by a bear, a moose will usually run away and can reach speeds of 35 mph. Bears can also run at the same speed but they lack the stamina for a long chase. They also stamp the ground and will use their antlers, if they have any, as well as leap and jump around.

This uses up a lot of energy for the predators but we need to remember that calves do not have the stamina of adults. Moose also has a hefty kick that can leave even a large bear dazed. A further defense tactic is to head for water which may have happened here. Sadly for the moose, it did not work on this occasion.

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It’s not a sight you’d expect to see often, but here it is. A brown bear running for dear life. The cause of its fright? A wolf, hot on its heels. They both dash past a granite rock and the video comes to an end. In its defense, the bear was rather small and most likely a youngster. After all, in the wild, size and ferocity, trump everything else.

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• Moose Size Comparison: Just How Big Are They?
• The Largest Moose In The World
• Moose Spirit Animal Symbolism & Meaning