Moosehunt Continues for Viral Sensation

BELMONT, MA - The search continues for a moose caught on camera cavorting through neighborhoods in Belmont and Watertown in an effort to ensure it stays away from civilization - for its own safety and the safety of residents.

The young female moose resurfaced on Robin Hill Road in Lexington on Friday, a day after environmental and state police searched the wooded conservation area near McLean Hospital in Belmont where it was last seen.

"A moose in a populated area is dangerous to both itself and people," Katie Gronendyke, a spokesperson for the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs, told Patch on Thursday.

Marion Larson, Chief of Information and Education for the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife, said that it is extremely rare to see a moose in the Belmont and Watertown area, as they typically reside in the central and western parts of the state.

"They show up sometimes in downtown Worcester, Pittsfield or Springfield," Larson said. "But inside of Route 128 it's a very unusual sight."

• See also: Loose Moose Reportedly Spotted in Lexington
• Watch: Moose Does Early Morning Cardio in Belmont, Watertown

Larson said that wild animals who wander into populated areas are typically young, inexperienced and often drawn by the sounds of civilization.

But a moose's size poses a problem in residential neighborhoods, particularly if it is startled.

"The main concern is this whole business of traffic," Larson said. "If a moose is spooked and runs into traffic, that's a major issue."

Larson said that residents who encounter the moose should look from a distance, stay away and not try to follow the moose, as following it could cause the animal stress.

She added that the search for the moose is being conducted to ensure it remains in a wooded area.

Meanwhile the moose continues to enjoy a pseudo-celebrity status, as a video of its Wednesday morning jog in Watertown has garnered more than 440,000 views on Facebook and a Twitter account @TheBelmontMoose has been created to document its exploits.

>>>Click here for more tips on what to do if you encounter a moose in your neighborhood.