Coming eye to eye with a moose is usually a dangerous ordeal, considering males can grow to upward of 1,500 pounds and 7 feet in height. But thanks to a talented drone operator, we get a first-hand, or first-propeller, look at a moose cow in the wild.
While casually filming with his DJI Phantom 3 Professional drone in Norway, Kolbjørn Hoseth Larssen came across a curious moose. As Larssen was hovering the drone above the ground, trying to get footage of the wilderness, the moose cow became enamored with the device.
As seen in the video, the moose was grazing about the land when it noticed the drone above its head. Once the moose acknowledged the device, the cow began to poke its nose at the UAV and playfully chased it down when Larssen moved it back, essentially persuading the moose to play a game of tag with a $350 drone.
For those concerned about the moose’s well-being, Larssen assured viewers in the YouTube comments that he had visual communication with both the drone and moose at all times and pulled back the drone to keep it at a safe distance as the moose continued to approach the vehicle.
Despite the incredible footage — and disclaimer that no animals were harmed in the making of this video — it’s still a good idea to keep drones away from wildlife. Just as drones can injure humans, the fast-spinning blades can also cause harm to animals, even those as powerful and bulky as moose.
Enjoy the footage as it’s shown, but don’t attempt this at home. It’s in the best interest of both wildlife and your expensive drone.
