POST FALLS, Id. — One woman in north Idaho has moose visit her home frequently. Because Idaho Fish and Game has seen a steady decline in the state’s moose population, she wants to create a moose sanctuary over 40 miles away.
Kathy Veta is no stranger to welcoming moose in her yard. But, one particular baby moose, who she named Owen, inspired this all.
“I looked out front and Owen had come back on his own. And, he was soaking wet, and he had cuts all over and barbed wire injuries. And, he kept staring at the river as if mama was coming with him,” Kathy Veta said.
But she never did, so Kathy decided to care for him herself until he was old enough to go off on his own.
Because of Owen, Kathy wants to help save the moose population. She feels that due to recent development in the area, the moose are being pushed out. She recently purchased 10 acres in Harrison Idaho and hopes to make it a moose sanctuary. It will be called Owen’s Acres.
“My goal would be to build pole barn down there. It needs to have open sides because you want them to be able to see prey, but a shelter from the snow if you have a mom with babies, you can put a fee station there if you wanted to, but they’re down by the creek where they have water,” Veta said.