Woman charged with harassment of wildlife after touching moose in Breckenridge

BRECKENRIDGE, Colo. – A woman who went viral last week for touching a moose in Breckenridge has been charged with harassment of wildlife as Colorado Parks and Wildlife once again pleads with the public to leave wildlife alone.

The woman, who was not identified, was cited with a summons to appear in court on a charge of harassment of wildlife and faces a fine of up to $200, a CPW spokesperson told Denver7.

The incident reported by CPW via a Twitter post happened Thursday at around 4:45 p.m., according to the CPW official.

The video shows the woman touching the moose near its small tail as onlookers shout for her to get away from the animal, before the moose turns around and stomps the ground, nearly kicking the woman.

Speaking to the Summit Daily News, CPW officials said a moose can weigh up to 1,000 pounds and will not hesitate to kick or charge when agitated.

Last month, CPW cited two residents in mountain communities for luring wildlife into their property and feeding them. In January alone, wildlife officers contacted a dozen people who had fed and interacted with big game.