Canada – Kingdom of the MooseB2 

When we think of a moose we picture an animal which isn't particularly beautiful – dopey muzzle, long legs... Yet, there is something about it that attracts people. They want to see one, take its picture, touch it and cuddle, just as if it was a pet which you can tame and love. They simply don’t realize that moose may actually be very dangerous at times...

Alaskan moose is the largest species of the deer family. Its representatives are not very aggressive towards humans on the whole, but, like any other animals, can be easily frightened or provoked. So whenever you’re close to a moose you should be on the watch, as the statistics are appalling – moose attack people more often than bears and wolves combined, but, luckily, with less severe consequences.

One of the most dangerous times to go looking for moose is the May-June period when the moose cows calve. The mothers are fiercely protective of their young and will not hesitate to attack intruders. It does not make any difference to them whether a human wants to get closer to take a better snapshot, or tries to steal their baby. Another piece of advice: do not ever come between mothers and their calves – it bugs them! In the fall beware of the moose bulls – it's the mating season! Due to high hormone levels they may become aggressive and act unpredictably. Finally, it is worth remembering that where there are moose, there are also predators which like to hunt them, like wolves or grizzly bears. If you're still willing to see the moose face to face, why don't you look at its ears, too – when they tilt back, it means the animal is irritated.

The common mistake people make while traveling to Canada in search of moose is assuming that, just because the animal is gangly and looks awkward, it can't move quickly, which would give them a chance to run away if necessary. Well, this kind of thinking may cost you your life. The animals may look clumsy, but they are fast. The adult moose can run as fast as 60 kilometers per hour.

All things considered, it may turn out to be a sensible solution to ask locals or professional tour guides to accompany you. They will probably know where to look for the animal (you'd better not get lost in the Canadian forests), what its habits are, and what to do in an emergency.

The above are just a couple of tips which aim to make you aware of the possible risks involved, so that you could weigh the pros and cons of setting out on a trip in search of the moose. If my warnings didn't discourage you, I hereby wish you good luck!