Angeles Espinoza and her daughter Andrea Bernal, both of Taos, were treated to a rare sight on Taos’ Main Street on Wednesday morning (August 28).
To their shock and delight, a huge moose climbed across the Paseo del Pueblo Sur, his gaze fixed on the bushes ahead with each step of his lanky body.
“This morning I was going to take my daughter Andrea Bernal to the high school around 7:30 a.m.,” said Espinoza, who emailed the Taos News photos her daughter took of the animal. “We arrived in the area where the Mondo Italiano restaurant is located. When we saw that an animal was about to cross the road.”
“I thought it was a horse,” she added. “At that point my daughter started saying it was a moose.”
Moose are not native to northern New Mexico, but native populations in Colorado experienced a resurgence in 1978 when Department of Conservation officials reintroduced two dozen male and female moose to the Rocky Mountain State. Although the Land of Enchantment is not considered wet enough for moose habitat, moose have been migrating south into northern New Mexico with increasing frequency in recent years, with sightings reported as far away as Santa Fe (I’m looking at you, Marty Moose).
According to the National Wildlife Federation, these animals are also suited to cooler climates due to their thick fur and considerable size. Their natural habitat extends across the northern regions of North America, from Washington through Maine to Canada and Alaska.
“We were very excited because it is not common to see these animals here, much less to see them passing so quietly in front of a truck,” said Espinoza. “So I told my daughter to take pictures and she took a few as soon as she could. We can say that it was a wonderful experience.”
