A routine fishing trip in rural Maine turned into an unforgettable wildlife rescue when a couple witnessed a black bear chasing a young moose calf—and made a split-second decision to intervene.
Peaceful Morning Turns Into a High-Stakes Chase
Elvia and Todd Malcolm were driving through Telos Township, Maine, about an hour from their home in Lincoln, when they spotted a female moose standing near the edge of a wooded area.
Expecting a great wildlife photo opportunity, Todd encouraged his wife to grab her phone. As they watched, however, the moose appeared unusually distressed, repeatedly grunting as if calling for her missing calf.
Bear and Calf Burst From the Trees
Moments later, the scene took a dramatic turn.
A frightened moose calf suddenly emerged from the forest with a large black bear charging closely behind it.
Believing the bear would soon catch the calf, Todd made an instant decision to help.
Quick Thinking Stops the Pursuit
Todd put the truck into drive and accelerated, steering it between the bear and the fleeing calf.
His goal wasn’t to injure the bear but simply to interrupt the chase.
The tactic worked.
Startled by the approaching vehicle, the bear veered off and disappeared back into the woods, allowing the calf to escape.
Emotional Reunion Brings Relief
Elvia described the encounter as both terrifying and emotional.
She said her heart was racing because she didn’t want to witness the calf being caught. Moments later, she looked up the road and saw the young moose safely reunited with its mother—a sight that brought immediate relief.
Fishing Trip Ends on a Happy Note
After ensuring the mother moose and her calf were safely together, the couple continued with their original fishing plans, eventually spending the rest of the day catching brook trout.
What began as an ordinary outing became an extraordinary wildlife encounter they—and thousands of people who later saw the images—are unlikely to forget.
Disclaimer: The images used in this article are for illustrative and representational purposes only. They may not depict the actual people, animals, location, or events described in the story.
