On September 15, a bull moose fell from a cliff onto Highway 119 in Boulder Canyon at around mile marker 32. Colorado State Patrol (CSP) arrived on the scene and consulted with Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) before euthanizing the moose using a firearm.
According to CPW’s Northeast Region Public Information Officer Kara Van Hoose, the moose appeared to have broken its back legs and had trouble moving and standing. When wildlife are injured, Van Hoose said that the biggest factor to look for when determining the animal’s chance of survival is mobility.
“If the animal is able to move on their own, they are able to find food and shelter, increasing their chance of recovery,” she said. “If they are not able to move around, euthanization is usually the humane route to take as they will not be able to eat. We, and CSP, adhere to the AVMA’s guidelines for euthanasia which recommend using a firearm as the most humane and effective tool.”…