Moose on the loose at Danbury movie theater parking lot

DANBURY — A Danbury man went into the AMC theater to watch a movie and came out to see something almost stranger than fiction in the parking lot — a moose on the loose.

Michael Bower spotted the moose roaming around the AMC theater parking lot on Eagle Road on Mondayaround 6 p.m. as he was walking to his vehicle.

“At first glance, I thought it was a horse,” he said. “After clearly noticing what it was, I turned on my car and followed him. It definitely seemed a little confused on where it was.”

Bower said he was extremely “shocked and impressed” when he saw the moose since he has never seen one in that “busy” area near Interstate 84 before. He did not reach out to the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, but they are aware of the situation.

According to DEEP, they believe it to be the same moose that has been spotted around Woodbury, Southbury, New Fairfield, Danbury and Newtown over the past few days. They have been monitoring the sightings.

“It is not unusual in the fall for young male moose to wander long distances as they seek new territories,” said Paul Copleman, media relations manager via email.

According to DEEP, moose have been seen in Barkhamsted, Canaan, Colebrook, Goshen, Granby, Hartland, Norfolk, Salisbury, Stafford and Union over the past 10 years, and there have been 949 sightings over the past 20 years in 86 different Connecticut towns. Most sightings are reported by deer hunters along the Massachusetts border. Deep keeps track of moose and other wildlife sightings with an online map; the site also has a link where residents can report moose sightings.

Moose are large animals with long, slender, grayishwhite legs. They are over 6 feet tall at the shoulders and can weigh up to 1,400 pounds, according to DEEP’s website. Moose can also present a serious public safety risk when they cross roadways or high traffic areas.

DEEP advises that “under no circumstances should moose be approached,” Copleman said.

Visit the DEEP website on moose information to find more tips on what to do if you see a moose and how to report sightings.

Michael Bower / Contributed photo A moose caught on camera by Michael Bower, of Danbury, in the parking lot of the Danbury AMC movie theaters on Monday evening.