Moose crosses Route 2, wanders through Gardner, police say

Police responded to keep people away from the moose and used emergency lights to warn other drivers, McAvene said.

“During incidents like this, officers will keep their distance and try to loosely corral the animal toward a wooded area,” McAvene said. “Private citizens should leave the animals alone. They will most likely move on naturally.”

McAvene noted that most incidents involving moose and people occur “when people try to get too close to take pictures.”

The moose eventually made its way to Route 2, where it crossed the highway and then returned to the city’s streets near Timpany Boulevard (Route 68), McAvene said. It was later spotted near a McDonald’s and in some backyards before heading into the woods.

“The moose was left alone, and it found its way back to its path and hasn’t been seen since that we know of,” Nicholson said.

Gardner animal control responded but did not make contact with the animal, and police had not seen it again as of Wednesday afternoon, McAvene said.

While the sight of the moose wandering through town can attract attention, McAvene said such wildlife calls are not unusual in Gardner, where much of the city is rural and wooded. He said the department regularly receives reports of moose and bears in residential areas.

“Anecdotally, we probably get a few calls per year in the heavily populated areas,” he said. “It is much more often in some of the rural areas.”

Nicholson urged local residents who may still spot the moose, or any other, to keep their distance and leave it be.

“It’s an animal roaming around the city as its home just like anyone else — just a lot taller,” the mayor noted.

The timing of its unusual foray into downtown coincides with moose breeding season. September and October are the breeding season, or rut, for moose in Massachusetts, according to MassWildlife.

Moose can be found throughout most of Western and Central Massachusetts, with occasional sightings in the eastern part of the state, according to MassWildlife. Gardner is in Worcester County and about 50 miles northwest of Boston.

In most cases, according to MassWildlife, a moose in a populated area should be left alone and will find its own way back to the woods. On rare occasions, trained wildlife officials may use immobilizing drugs when a moose creates a dangerous public safety situation, according to the agency.

Officials urged people not to approach or pursue a moose. Crowds can stress out the animal and make it feel cornered, while pursuing it could drive the animal into traffic or toward bystanders, according to MassWildlife.

Officials also encouraged drivers to be alert at night during the fall as moose are more active. Their dark coloring and height can make them difficult to spot in low light, and their eyes rarely reflect headlights the way deer eyes do, according to MassWildlife.

Nick Stoico can be reached at nick.stoico@globe.com.