TETON VILLAGE, Wyo. — A local woman was hospitalized with multiple injuries early Friday morning after she was charged by a moose in Teton Village.
Around 5 a.m., 27-year-old Hannah Garland let her dog out in the Teton Village Condominium area when she saw a dark figure headed in her direction. There was little to no light as the sun had yet to rise.
“I made it to our parking lot and I called for my dog…I looked to my right and next thing you know a huge dark figure was charging me,” said Garland.
Garland explained that she did her best to turn away from the moose, but it was too late. The moose head-butted Garland and knocked her to the ground. There, it began to stomp on her ribs.
Afterward, the moose stayed in the parking lot pacing around, says Garland, who was able to retrieve her dog and run back into her condo.
Garland’s neighbor, who awoke to the sound of her screaming, called the victim to see what was wrong. The neighbor then took her to receive medical attention in the emergency room at St. John’s Health.
Garland suffered multiple injuries, including a concussion and six broken ribs as well as bone bruising on her right arm and elbow.
“I’ve never been more scared in my life,” Garland said.
According to the Wyoming Game and Fish Department, human injuries from moose are not common. However, snow depths across the Jackson Hole valley has placed additional stress on many ungulates. Five months into a winter with significant snowfall, big game are food-stressed. Deep snow has caused them to travel down to lower elevations and into more developed areas. Wildlife officials say that the best line of defense against an attack is always to give wildlife room. In this scenario, the victim was unable to do so as it was still dark and she was unaware that the moose was near.
Wildlife officials say that most moose charges are bluffs and a warning to stay back. But if a moose does charge, don’t wait to find out if it’s bluffing. It is best to run and get behind something solid, like a tree, or retreat to a safe place, like inside of a building or car.
Moose and elk are relatively common throughout the Jackson Hole valley, but especially along the Snake River corridor and slopes of the Teton Range, including residential areas associated with the towns of Wilson, Teton Village and Jackson.
Editor’s Note: At the time of publishing it is unclear whether the moose was a bull or a cow, or if there a calf was present nearby.
