A fishing outing on a remote lake in western Maine turned into a wildlife rescue when Todd and Elvia Malcolm drove their pickup into the path of a black bear pursuing a moose calf, according to a video posted online and reports from local observers.
The Malcolms, who were fishing on the lake’s shore on Saturday, heard a commotion in the surrounding woods and saw a large black bear emerge, lunging after a young moose that had become separated from its mother. Todd Malcolm quickly accelerated his truck between the bear and the calf, startling the predator and buying the baby moose enough time to retreat toward a nearby adult.
Elvia Malcolm filmed the encounter, capturing the bear’s sudden appearance, the truck’s maneuver, and the calf’s escape. The footage, which has been shared on social media platforms, shows the bear pausing briefly before disappearing back into the forest while the moose calf reunites with its mother.
Local wildlife officials were not immediately contacted for comment, and no injuries to the bear, the moose, or the couple were reported.
Analysis:
The incident underscores the unpredictable nature of wildlife encounters in Maine’s heavily forested regions, where black bears and moose coexist. While the Malcolms’ decision to intervene likely prevented the calf’s immediate danger, experts generally advise maintaining a safe distance from large predators to avoid escalating confrontations. The video’s rapid spread highlights public fascination with close‑up wildlife moments, but also raises questions about the appropriate human response when wild animals are in distress.
Sources
– Times of India, “A Maine couple thought they were about to photograph a moose. Instead a calf and a bear burst from the woods and they had seconds to decide whether to intervene,” https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/us/a-maine-couple-thought-they-were-about-to-photograph-a-moose-instead-a-calf-and-a-bear-burst-from-the-woods-and-they-had-seconds-to-decide-whether-to-intervene/articleshow/132180756.cms
Story synopsis gathered from: Times of India – Top Stories — source
Corrections
If you believe this article contains an error, contact Herald Express with the source URL and supporting evidence.
