The viral clip shows two men approaching a moose on an icy Montana road; one touches the animal and slips as the moose spins and charges. No one was hurt, but experts warn such close interactions are dangerous and can lead to fines, bans or even euthanasia of animals if incidents occur. Conservation groups like the Wildlife Conservation Society and Leave No Trace urge people to give wildlife plenty of space, never feed or startle animals, and report harassment. Online commenters called the encounter illegal and urged penalties, summed up by: “Play stupid games, win stupid prizes.”
Instant Karma: Moose Charges After Two Men Taunt It on Icy Montana Road — No Injuries Reported
The viral clip shows two men approaching a moose on an icy Montana road; one touches the animal and slips as the moose spins and charges. No one was hurt, but experts warn such close interactions are dangerous and can lead to fines, bans or even euthanasia of animals if incidents occur. Conservation groups like the Wildlife Conservation Society and Leave No Trace urge people to give wildlife plenty of space, never feed or startle animals, and report harassment. Online commenters called the encounter illegal and urged penalties, summed up by: “Play stupid games, win stupid prizes.”
04:24 AM, 11/15/2025Environment
Bystander Captures Close Call After Two Men Taunt a Moose in Montana
A short YouTube clip shared by ABC7 shows a risky encounter on an icy Montana roadside when two men approached a moose standing at the shoulder. One of the men reaches out and touches the animal’s hindquarters, then slips and falls as the moose spins in reaction. The moose quickly charges while both men scramble away; fortunately, neither was injured.
Moose are large, powerful and unpredictable animals. What may seem like a harmless or funny interaction can become dangerous in an instant. Wildlife experts regularly warn that wild animals are not props for social media and should be given ample space to avoid stress, injury or escalation.
Legal and conservation consequences
Approaching, harassing or feeding wildlife can carry legal penalties in many jurisdictions, including fines, bans from protected areas or other enforcement actions. Beyond legal consequences, stressed or injured animals may be euthanized after harming people, even if the animal was provoked.
How to stay safe and protect wildlife
- Keep your distance: Give wild animals plenty of room and never attempt to touch or startle them.
- Don’t feed wildlife: Feeding animals changes their behaviour and increases risk to people and animals.
- Follow park rules: In national parks and other protected areas, stay within designated areas and obey posted guidelines.
- Report harassment: If you see people provoking wildlife, notify local authorities or park officials.
Conservation organizations such as the Wildlife Conservation Society and the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics offer science-based guidance for safely sharing habitat with wild animals. Their recommendations — including giving animals space, avoiding feeding them, and reporting harassment — help reduce risk for both people and wildlife.
Public reaction
“That moose was tame in its charge here. They were lucky that's all it did,” one viewer wrote. Another added: “In my state that is 100% illegal....you can NOT harass the wildlife.”
Many commenters urged fines or criminal charges and summarized the episode with a blunt takeaway: “Play stupid games, win stupid prizes.”
Bottom line: This incident is a reminder to respect wildlife from a safe distance — for your safety and the animals’ welfare.
If you value updates like this, consider joining reputable newsletters from conservation groups or local park services to learn safe wildlife-viewing practices.