Watch: Police Use Tasers to Free Moose Tangled in Hammock

Police officers recently rescued a bull moose after its antlers were caught in a hammock outside a home in Pinedale, Wyoming.

Authorities responded to reports of the troubled moose, which appeared to be tangled in a hammock fastened to a tree, on September 8, Sublette County Sheriff’s Office said in a Facebook post. Officials had to use tasers to incapacitate and free the moose from the hanging object.

“Due to the nature of the entangled animal and the proximity to hunting season, a tranquilizer would render the animal not harvestable and inedible,” authorities explained in the post. “A plan was devised to use tasers from SCSO Deputies which has proven successful in other jurisdictions to incapacitate the animal long enough to remove the hammock but not harm the animal.”

Footage of the rescue operation shows the moose struggling to get out of the hammock. Police officers then cautiously observed the animal while it was released from the hammock, making sure it didn’t hurt anyone during the process. Once the moose was let go, it ran away from the scene.

Sublette County Sheriff’s Office said the rescue plan went well and that the moose didn’t receive any injuries from the hammock.

Wildlife officials and Sublette County Sheriff’s Office warned people to be aware of hanging items in their yards that may injure nearby animals during the fall season.

“This time of year, with the rut starting and animals rubbing velvet, we want to join the [Wyoming] Game and Fish in asking citizens to remove hanging items, hammocks, bird feeders, or anything else moose, deer, and other wildlife could get tangled in to avoid further occurrences,” Sublette County Sheriff’s Office said at the end of the post.

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