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Pete the Moose’s future remains uncertain |
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Monday, 08 February 2010 |
The bond between David Lawrence and Pete the Moose is obvious.
(Photo by Laura Carpenter)
By LAURA CARPENTER
Express Staff Writer
IRASBURG — The future of Pete the Moose and much of the wildlife that reside within a fence in here remains uncertain. A 700-acre wildlife hunting confine, Big Rack Ridge, owned by Doug Nelson, which began as a hunting ground with imported elk, has 200 whitetail deer and eight moose living within the “playground,” as Nelson calls it. The now famous Pete the Moose was brought to the confines after being nursed back to health following an attack when he was just a few days old. Seventy-four-year-old David Lawrence of Albany saved Pete after the dogs attacked it. The two have since formed an unlikely bond.
The problem now is that Vermont law prohibits keeping native wildlife
within a particular area. Nelson and Lawrence are worried that the deer
and the moose, including Pete, will be destroyed.
The state is concerned about chronic wasting disease (CWD), a form of
mad cow disease that has plagued deer and moose in other states. So far
CWD has not shown up in Vermont, but the only way to test for it is on
a dead animal. CWD is more commonly found in the U.S. in captive wild
animals such as deer and elk, according to the Centers for Disease
Control.
On Friday Nelson said he remains highly concerned that the “state is going to come in and annihilate the deer and moose.”
The Fish and Game Department did not return a phone call Friday.
Nelson has an attorney, and is expecting court proceedings.
As media gathered on a dirt road on Nelson’s property Friday, Lawrence
stood at the end of the road calling, “Pete!” The now full-size bull
appeared and followed Lawrence down the road behind a tall wire fence.
After the two made their way to where the small crowd gathered,
Lawrence stroked Pete’s face, the bond and mutual affection was evident.
Lawrence reached down to the ground and retrieved some apples and bananas and fed the animal.
Pete is unlike wild moose, and not at all shy of humans. He was gladly
fed by anyone who held out food for him. Lawrence said jelly donuts,
and fruits are Pete’s favorite.
Lawrence said he has always bonded with animals, and as a young boy had taken in skunk babies.
Lawrence said he is really worried about what is to become of Pete, as
many people have started a “Save Pete the Moose campaign. What will
become of the moose and all the deer has yet to be determined.
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Last Updated ( Monday, 15 February 2010 )
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