Officials remove moose, calf from downtown Missoula

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MISSOULA, Mont. (AP) – The Latest on moose wandering in downtown Missoula (all times local):

12:30 p.m.

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks officials have tranquilized and removed a moose and its calf after the animals wandered into downtown Missoula.

Missoula police had blocked off the downtown street Friday morning and urged residents to keep their distance as the moose and calf bedded down on a patch of snow between buildings.

Wildlife officials tranquilized the animals before loading them onto a trailer shortly before noon. Officials plan to release them out of town.

Officials believe the same moose forced trail closures in Greenough Park earlier this week.

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11:25 a.m.

Police have blocked off a downtown Missoula street after a moose and its calf wandered into the area.

The animals walked around homes and businesses on Friday morning before bedding down on a patch of snow near a health and wellness center.

Authorities sent automatic notifications to residents warning them to keep their distance.

The Missoulian reports state wildlife officials are on the scene and considering tranquilizing the moose and calf to move them to a safer area.

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