Martha the Moose? Lady moose hanging around northern New Mexico

The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish says a female moose has been hanging around the Taos area.

Darren Vaughan, a Game and Fish spokesman, said the moose was in Taos County and “in the general area” of the town.

“The moose is presently safe and appears healthy,” Vaughan said in a news release. “The Department will continue to monitor its movements and will take appropriate actions to ensure public safety.”

He said moose are a protected game animal in the state and there is no hunting season for moose, adding “it is unlawful to harvest or harass them in the state.”

Vaughan said the public should keep its distance if the animal is spotted.

“Moose can be dangerous and should not be approached for any reason,” he said. “If a moose charges you or otherwise shows signs of aggression, run as fast as you can and try to put a boulder, car, tree or other large object between you and it.”

Vaughan said an aggressive moose will display signs like having its ears laid back, licking its snout or having the hair on its neck raised.

It’s the second time a moose has garnered the department’s attention.

Last year, Marty Moose, a visitor from Colorado, made headlines as he toured northern New Mexico, leading to social media fame and a Facebook group “Marty Moose Fan Club” with 21,000 followers.

In September 2023, Game and Fish tranquilized Marty after he wandered into a Santa Fe neighborhood and relocated him to northern New Mexico.

Vaughan on Thursday said there was no news to share about Marty.

“We have not received any updates on Marty’s whereabouts since September 2023,” he said.

Although people in the Facebook group posted alleged sightings of Marty in Abiquiu in October, his current location is unknown.

Asked about what would happen if the two moose hooked up somewhere along the line, Vaughan said Game and Fish “do not believe it is likely that a large-scale moose population would occur in New Mexico.”

He said moose need a cool climate with wetland habitat — something plentiful in Colorado but less so here. Vaughan said younger moose often end up in the Land of Enchantment looking for a new home and “breeding opportunities.”

He said they often go back to Colorado once they realize the moose habitat pickings are slim. That doesn’t mean Marty and the lady moose won’t rendezvous.

“However, should the situation described above arise, the Department would assess the situation at that time to determine next steps,” Vaughan said.

Back when Marty was relocated, the fan club was hopeful, with one post suggesting the relocation of a female moose to “create a family.”

One woman commented: “If there’s a lady moose who finds him as hottie-hottie as we do, she will find him on her own. Again, this isn’t a zoo. They can follow their own breeding instincts without human interference.”