Rochester’s Late Moose
Had Lungworm, Says Vet

Tests show that a moose that was euthanized by state Department of Fish and Wildlife officials had lungworm at the time of his death.

Col. Robert Rooks, chief warden for Fish and Wildlife, said the moose also had consumed orange and banana peels, which may have made him sick.

The young bull moose, who had taken up residence in a small apple orchard in Rochester and attracted a crowd of sightseers, was euthanized Feb. 19 after it collapsed and stopped eating.

Rooks said sightseers had fed him fruit, oats and doughnuts—food he could not digest.

Lungworm can cause bronchitis or pneumonia.

Rooks said the carcass also will be examined to determine if the moose had brain worm, which can cause an animal to lose its fear of humans.