No it doesn't.....
The Moose doesn't look anything like a Doberman, trust me..........
Two friends also had an encounter with a Moose on the Zealand trail a couple of weeks ago, probably the same guy. One of them did some quick research when back from the hike
Co-Existing with Moose. Moose Can Be Aggressive.
Moose have evolved defenses to keep them from being easy prey. Unfortunately for humans, Moose sometimes preceive us as threats. When a Moose feels threatened it has only two choices, either flee or attack. Normally it will flee, and we can feel glad or apologetic, but when a Moose decides to be aggressive, we can find ourselves in a dangerous situation.
Moose can become aggressive in Winter when they are hungry, tired of walking in deep snow, and being harrassed by dogs and people. During mating season bull Moose may be aggressive towards other bulls or humans.
Avoid Confrontations. First and most important to avoiding confrontations is to give Moose plenty of room. Do not approach them. Moose, like other animals have a distance around them, that if entered by another animal - wolf, dog, bear, or human - causes them to react. Biologists call this area "personal space" or "critical distance". Cows and Calves need extra room. Moose calves, because of their size and lack of experience, are particularly susceptible to predation. Thus cow Moose have evolved some very strong defensive behaviors. If one preceives a threat to it's calf, it may attack. A cow Moose can defend itself against a full grown grizzly (or car). If you see a calf but not a cow, be very careful, you may have gotten between them, and you will want to remove yourself without drawing their attention.
Calves themselves can also be dangerous. Weighing 200 to 400 pounds by their first winter, they are fully equipped to injure a predator - or a human. Dogs and Moose don't mix. Moose are likely to treat dogs as they do (coyotes or )wolves. If Lassie barks and moves toward a Moose, the moose is likely to defend itself by lunging, kicking, and chasing the dog. A frightened dog, not having been a wolf for thousands of years, (may) run back to it's master for protection, and you may find yourself between your pet and 1000 pounds of irate moose that seems capable of kicking in four directions at once. Because moose consider dogs to be their enemies, they may go out of their way to kick at them, no matter if the dog is on a leash or in a fenced yard. If you have a dog with you, give moose extra room.
Moose Body Language. Moose use body language as a method of communication. Understanding this language will help keep both you and the Moose out of harms way. The first thing you might notice is that a moose has stopped feeding, walking, or resting, and is looking at you. Its ears will be up and it will be listening as well as looking clues as to what you are, and what you may be up to. You can stay where you are, or increase the distance between you and the moose. The moose can move towards you, stay put, or move away. What you do influences what the moose does. You should be thinking; Does the moose have room? Does it have a safe escape route? Could it consider me a threat? Terrified moose have run through and over all manner of things. If the moose puts down its head, lowers its ears, and the hair on its back and neck go up, it's time to start worrying and looking for your own escape route. The moose may begin to lick its lips and walk towards you. The moose is telling you very clearly in moose language that either you have gotten too close and are a threat. Back off and look for something to get behind.
If a Moose charges... Fortunately most moose charges are bluffs, warning for you to get back. They should nevertheless be taken seriously. If a moose chases you, get behind something solid. You can run around a tree faster than a moose can. If a moose knocks you down, it may continue running or start stomping and kicking with all four feet. Curl up in a ball, protect your head with your arms, and lie still. Don't try to move until the moose moves a safe distance away or it may renew its attack.
I hope I never see "the hair on it's back and neck go up". I feel fortunate to have encountered quite a few Moose over the years, and they usually scamper away too quickly. The Zealand trail appears to be a great location for Moose to hang out. Hopefully no one gets hurt with encounters with this fellow, before he decides that it's time to move out of the area, which doesn't appear to be anytime soon. More snow on the way today.
