Video showing man jump on swimming moose under investigation
A YouTube video posted on Saturday that shows a man attempting to jump on and ride a wild moose has stirred outrage online.
In the video in question, a group of people are seen boating in a lake in Northern B.C. chasing a swimming moose. One man waits on the ledge of the boat until it is close enough to the animal, to which he jumps onto and straddles its back.
Both the boat and the animal appear to be in somewhat shallow water, but when the man lands on the moose, it briefly submerges under water and is visibly struggling to stay afloat. After about 20 seconds, it gains its footing and tosses the man into the water with audible groans.
Other men in the background are heard laughing. One person claims “I’ve never seen something so awesome!”
Conservation officers in B.C.’s North Peace region have received a number of calls about the video first posted on Facebook and then uploaded to YouTube by Wolftracker TV, an unrelated account that came across the video online and reported it to conservation officers.
Sergeant David Vince of B.C.’s Conservation Office believes the video was not taken this year but says the office has leads on who these men are.
Doug Forsdick, chief conservation officer for B.C. says the early stages of the investigation indicated it was in Northern British Columbia.
“We received a tip from the public about the incident, and it was reported to us as a violation of wildlife harassment. We do have investigators looking at it and numerous tips coming in,” said Forsdick.
“Anytime that you harass or hurt an animal with physical contact like that it’s certainly harassment of wildlife.”
Under the B.C. Wildlife Act, it is prohibited to harass wildlife with the use of a motor vehicle, including a boat. Those who disobey this law are subject to up to six months in prison and/or a fine of up to $1 million.
The B.C. Conservation Office will be investigating the video. Anyone who may know these men are asked to call 1-877-952-7277.
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