Additional Coverage:
A Maine couple’s fishing trip took an unexpected turn when they witnessed a dramatic wildlife encounter worthy of a nature documentary. Elvia and Todd Malcolm, from Lincoln, Maine, were about 100 miles away in Telos Township when they spotted a young female moose near the edge of the woods.
Noticing her restless behavior and hearing her grunts, the couple soon saw a moose calf and a large black bear charging toward them. Fearing for the calf’s safety, Todd quickly put their truck in drive and positioned it between the bear and the young moose to disrupt the chase.
“The bear jumped aside and disappeared into the woods,” Todd recounted. “I wasn’t trying to harm the bear-just protect the calf.”
Elvia shared her relief: “My heart was racing. I didn’t want to witness the calf being caught.
When they reunited, I knew everything was okay.”
The couple managed to capture striking photos of the chase through their truck’s windshield, which Elvia initially thought were blurry or obstructed. After ensuring the moose family was safe, they continued on to their fishing spot and enjoyed catching trout.
Maine, home to the second-largest moose population in the U.S., officially adopted the moose as its state animal in 1979. The moose also features prominently on Maine’s state seal, symbolizing the state’s rich wilderness and natural heritage. Biologists estimate there are between 40,000 and 60,000 moose living in Maine today.