Now has a GPS transmitter

Moose “Emil” was stunned with a gun: Let him go!

He was probably still a little wobbly on his feet after the anesthetic: "Emil" being unloaded in the Bohemian Forest.(Bild: Land OÖ)

Poor "Emil": Because the moose came close to the freeway slip road in Sattledt (Upper Austria) at around 5.30 a.m. on Monday morning, he was stopped 200 meters away with a tranquillizer gun - and then released in the Bohemian Forest.

A short trial has now been made with moose "Emil" in Upper Austria. The wild animal was "shot" with a tranquillizer gun at around 5.30 am in consultation with "Soko Elch". According to the province of Upper Austria, there was a threat of danger because the moose wanted to get onto the highway. Specifically, "Emil" apparently tried to jump over the fence towards the Westautobahn (A1). Just before the early morning traffic started at the Voralpenkreuz, "Emil" was only 200 meters away from the A1.

"Would have meant danger to life for those involved"
This meant immediate danger, according to the assessment of the province of Upper Austria and the wildlife experts on site, reported Michaela Langer-Weninger (ÖVP), the provincial councillor responsible. "An accident - and wildlife experts confirm this - would have meant danger to the lives of everyone involved," explained Langer-Weninger. The animal was anaesthetized under the expert guidance of a wildlife medicine team and continuously monitored - using drones and thermal imaging cameras.

He was probably still a little wobbly on his feet after the anesthetic: "Emil" being unloaded in the Bohemian Forest.(Bild: Land OÖ)

Firefighters from the Sattledt fire department carefully lifted "Emil" into a transport trailer lined with straw, where he soon regained consciousness and was brought to the edge of the Bohemian Forest (Rohrbach district), slightly sedated and standing, as is usual with wild animals.

"I am glad that the rescue operation for Emil was so professional and successful. The fact that Emil can now find a new home in a suitable habitat is the best reward for this effort!"

Die oö. Agrar-Landesrätin Michaela Langer-Weninger

Moose "Emil" will now be reintroduced
The moose was finally released into the wild in the vicinity of the Czech Šumava National Park, where there is a moose population.
Since entering the country in August, "Emil" had covered many kilometers and crossed the Danube at least three times. He was first seen in Mistelbach on August 19 and is believed to have migrated from Poland via the Czech Republic. According to Tierschutz Austria, the moose, which is classified as a wild animal, posed no danger. Moose may appear threatening, but they are peaceful flight animals.

Emil was given a GPS tracker
In order to guarantee Emil's safety and to be able to track his future life in the wild, he now wears an ear tag with a GPS transmitter. According to the province of Upper Austria, this will allow his movements to be scientifically documented in the future.

Recently, wildlife experts were concerned about Emil and expressed clear concerns to "Soko Emil". The tenor: "Unfortunately, the hype is leading to picture-book misbehavior. Does it really have to be that the police have to protect Emil the moose from people?" The large crowds of onlookers, combined with the summer heat and restricted freedom of movement, made Emil visibly sweat.

Moose is now a "social media star"
 The nation's darling now has its own Facebook fan page with more than 25,000 members. It remains to be seen whether the Czechs are just as "Emil-friendly".