Bismarck residents received an unusual wake-up call early Thursday morning when a moose was sighted within city limits, specifically near the Gateway Mall.
Emme Leigh, who was working a graveyard shift, reported seeing the female moose around 3 a.m. while conducting a security check around her hotel. Leigh initially mistook the massive animal for a cow due to its size, but upon zooming in with her phone, she identified it by its "elongated head" as a moose. Leigh captured video of the visitor casually moving through the parking lot.
North Dakota Game and Fish has received reports of the female moose making its way through Bismarck and anticipates the animal will find its way back to a more natural habitat. The Bismarck sighting comes on the heels of another recent urban wildlife encounter in the state; the Williston Police Department posted a picture of a moose near a school in Williston, later confirming that animal safely exited town.
Wildlife officials from North Dakota Game and Fish explained that moose often follow natural corridors in their search for food and resources. These "moose-on-the-loose" incidents, as they are sometimes called, occur fairly often this time of year, particularly involving male moose.
Levi Jacobson, assistant wildlife chief for North Dakota Game and Fish, clarified the seasonal increase in urban sightings. He stated that it's "coming up on their peak breeding season," which causes younger male moose to travel extensively in search of mates, occasionally leading them into populated areas.
Jacobson issued a strong caution regarding approaching these animals. He warned that moose can be particularly aggressive during their breeding season. His advice to the public is clear: "Give them their space and don’t get too close to them." While most moose encountered in urban settings are harmless and will move out on their own, their size and potential for aggression, especially during breeding season, make close contact dangerous.
For residents in Burleigh and Morton counties, these sightings serve as a reminder to exercise vigilance and respect wildlife boundaries. If a moose is spotted within Bismarck or Mandan city limits, the recommended course of action from Game and Fish is to steer clear, provide the animal ample room, and allow it to naturally find its way back to its habitat without human intervention.