The hype around moose “Emil” continues: the northern visitor, now dubbed a “citizen of Lower Austria,” is still roaming the Tulln district. On Tuesday evening, he was spotted, filmed, and photographed in St. Andrä-Wördern. By Wednesday at midday, he was seen at the southern outskirts of Tulln, heading upstream along the Danube. The Facebook fan page “Emil the Moose” is approaching 5,000 members, up from 2,500 just Tuesday morning.
Comments show that Emil’s followers are concerned. “Please be careful!” “Let him move on in peace,” and “Heaven, hopefully nothing really happens when he strolls so leisurely on the road” appear on the fan page. Some criticism has also been voiced: “Maybe we should stop posting where he is. Then all the brainless onlookers can’t follow him… Just knowing he’s okay is enough.”
The moose has now been a “citizen of Lower Austria” for over a week and has already achieved cult status.
Acting responsibly
Tierschutz Austria (Austrian Animal Protection) called on the public on Wednesday to “remain calm and behave responsibly around the wild animal.” Moose are “impressive but peaceful flight animals.” Anyone encountering Emil should keep their distance, not pressure him, and allow him to retreat. This keeps the situation safe for everyone, explained Stephan Scheidl, head of the Tierschutz Austria shelter.
He added: “Do not feed or lure him: Emil finds his own food—young shoots and buds. Getting him accustomed to humans would be risky. Do not stress him: do not approach for photos or videos and avoid loud noises. A stressed moose could panic and flee onto roads or train tracks.”
Coordination with authorities
Tierschutz Austria says it is “in close contact with relevant organizations and authorities” to coordinate the next steps for both human and animal safety. “We hope Emil can continue undisturbed and find a suitable territory. Proper consideration from the public is essential,” Scheidl emphasized.
Moose were native to Austria until the 17th century. Individual animals still occasionally roam the Waldviertel and other regions. According to Tierschutz Austria, Emil is “a young, sexually mature male searching for a new territory and females for reproduction. Moose can travel up to 80 kilometers per day and have territories of up to 100 square kilometers. They are active both day and night.”
The greatest threat to moose comes from the increasing fragmentation of their habitats by roads, settlements, and other infrastructure. Despite their size—up to 2.3 meters at the shoulder and 500 kilograms—moose pose no danger to humans as long as they are left alone.
