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- cross-posted to:
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Parks Canada is warning drivers not to stop while on highways to let moose lick their cars this winter.
The peculiar message comes as moose have been trekking onto highways to lick salt off of roads and passing vehicles, says Tracy McKay with Parks Canada.
“It does sound very funny … It’s okay to laugh at it, as long as people drive responsibly and do what’s best for the wildlife,” she said.
McKay says Parks Canada puts out a warning every winter as moose venture down to highways to fuel their salt intake.
“Unfortunately, this kind of puts [moose] at risk of being injured or killed if they get hit by a vehicle,” she said.
“Parks Canada understands that seeing those wildlife is a real highlight for a lot of people, but we ask people not to stop … so that the moose can’t get used to licking salt off of the cars.”
That’s always good advice, about not letting moose lick your car - if moose are licking your car, it may be sign you’re approaching a bit too close. Once at yellowstone I was driving to the campground and a bison walked up to my car and stood there blocking the passenger door. It was close enough to feel it brushing the side of the car. And there’s not much you can do but let it do whatever it’s gonna do.
You need to loudly state that you do not consent to the animal licking your car (or standing in your door’s personal space). Then they either get the idea and move on, ignore you, or go into a vicious rage.
Or just stomp on you and make you into a pancake. I don’t think anyone should really ever get that close to a wild animal on purpose, sometimes it happens but you just don’t know what that animal will do. Especially with bison or moose - keep your distance if possible.