BISMARCK, N.D. — A 9-year-old moose at a Bismarck zoo has died after strong winds caused a tree to fall on the animal.
KXMB-TV reports that Walter the moose died early Monday at the Dakota Zoo after it was pinned under a 50-foot cottonwood tree. Winds reportedly hit more than 60 mph during the overnight hours and uprooted the tree.
Assistant zoo director Rod Fried says it as a "freak accident." He says the moose died instantly.
Monday was going to be Walter's last day at the Dakota Zoo. Officials had planned on transferring the animal to a Minnesota zoo.
Walter was the only moose at the zoo. The moose cage likely will house other animals. The zoo has no plans to get a new moose any time soon.
