Moose Gets Stuck in Apple Tree

An apple to a moose is like one potato chip to a junk-food addict. She wants more. So Per Johansson would probably not have been startled to find a moose eating apples in his neighbor’s backyard in Särö, Sweden. However, seeing the moose hung up in an apple tree, with only one hoof still on the ground, was a shock.

It seems every apple season Swedish moose stagger around, unable to resist the heady allure of a fruit that makes them drunk. The stuck moose had been dining on apples throughout the day. She was so determined to reach one more apple, and then another and another, she climbed the tree and could not get down.

The drunken moose did not automatically assume the best of her rescuer and kicked out at him when he tried to free her. Neighbors and a hunter started sawing off branches, but the moose stayed stuck. Finally the fire brigade arrived, bent over the tree, and freed the animal.

Interviewed for The Local, an English language news source from Sweden, Johansson said, “My neighbor recognized it as the animal that almost ran into her car earlier in the day. She was pretty sure the elk [sic] was already under the influence.”

Fortunately, the greedy moose just needed to sleep it off. By morning she was back on her feet and likely in search of the next apple tree. The video from ITN News includes photos of the stranded moose and one apple tree that will not be bearing fruit for a long time, if ever.

On a side note: News accounts labeled the animal an elk, but the video clearly shows a moose stuck in an apple tree. That lumpy snout is unmistakable.

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Read more: animal rescue, animal welfare, animals, moose, sweden

Photo from Alaskan Dude via Flickr Creative Commons

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
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Joe R.

6:07PM PST on Feb 22, 2012

Please, eat apples in moderation.

send a green star

Robin R.

12:29PM PST on Nov 25, 2011

That is too funny! I have never heard of moose getting drunk from apples before (but then I've never heard of moose climbing trees either)! Thank-you to everyone who helped rescue the moose from the tree; and it's nice to read that sometimes even hunters have compassion for animals.

Linda J.

9:15PM PST on Nov 24, 2011

Until one has loved an animal, a part of one's soul remains unawakened

Marlene D.

1:40PM PST on Nov 24, 2011

am glad she is ok

Vicky S.

7:22AM PST on Nov 24, 2011

Well that is a story he can tell his children and worn them of what an apple tree can do if your not careful.

Quanta K.

2:15AM PST on Nov 24, 2011

Thanks!

Susan W.

4:37PM PDT on Nov 3, 2011

Glad to hear the moose is ok.
Guess he missed the class - Mooses Don't Climb Trees 101

Chris M.

6:01AM PDT on Oct 13, 2011

Glad the moose is ok...

Sonny H.

5:24AM PDT on Sep 26, 2011

Thanks. Unusual>

Annmari L.

6:47AM PDT on Sep 22, 2011

This is very common in Sweden. Not moose trapped in trees, but drunk ones roaming the countryside by Fall. You know, there are some people that can't hold their liquer. Same goes with moose. Really angry and a hell of a hangover. Better stay out of their path!