Terrifying moment a bull moose charges suddenly at a hiker in Colorado

THIS is the terrifying moment a docile-looking bull moose suddenly darted toward a hiker in Colorado.

Footage shows the huge beast munching at a tree in Clear Creek County as a walker films from a few meters away.


The moose’s sprawling antlers are seen behind the tree as it searches for food.

The animal lifts its head off the ground before charging at the man.

In a blink of an eye, the animal darts directly toward the hiker before the clip suddenly ends.

The hiker wasn't injured as he managed to jump behind a tree for cover, The New York Post reports.

Officials at the Colorado Parks and Wildlife tweeted: “This video is an example of being too close to a bull moose and how quickly they can decide to charge on you.”

Tourists have since been warned not to approach the harmless-looking animal.

What is a bull moose?

Bull moose are the largest species of the deer family and their antlers can grow up to six feet.

  • Moose can weigh as much as 1200 pounds, according to National Geographic.
  • Their diet consists of shrubs and woody plants and can eat as much as 73 pounds a day in the summer.
  • Their sprawling antlers are capable of fatally injuring predators such as bears and wolves.
  • Bull moose develop a full rack of antlers by the time they reach eight while cow moose do not have antlers at all.
  • Antlers can weigh up to 40 pounds.
  • Bull moose tend to mate in September and October and they are known for battling other males with their antlers for supremacy.
  • Calves can reportedly outrun humans by the time they are five days old.
  • Moose can swim across lakes at speeds of up to six miles per hour.
  • Their life expectancy in the wild ranges between 15 and 20 years.

Elissa Sleaza, director of the department, said: “While this creates exciting opportunities to view these fascinating animals, dangerous conflicts between moose and people have become increasingly common in recent years.

“Never approach a moose or attempt to take a close-up photograph or a selfie.”

The moose population in North America has been on the decline since the 1980s but the animals can be seen in many states across the country.

Tourists can spot the beasts while walking in the mountains of northern Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan.

They have also been found in the mountains of Utah and Colorado.

Moose can become bad-tempered when harassed by humans, dogs, and traffic especially when they're tired.

The animals may look harmless but they can turn aggressive when they’re fed by humans that they don’t know.

Colorado is home to around 2,500 moose and has one of the healthiest populations of the species in the lower 48 US states.

Moose stampedes are incredibly rare as it's thought around one person or fewer dies from an attack every year.

But, traffic accidents involving the animal are common, particularly in Alaska.

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