Maine man rescues moose calf during what began as a routine fishing trip, Todd and Elvia Malcolm told The Associated Press. The couple said they pulled over after spotting a moose near the woods in Telos Township, and the scene quickly turned into a tense roadside chase.
The Malcolms said a moose calf and a bear burst from the trees and ran toward their parked pickup. Todd Malcolm told the AP he felt he had to act immediately to try to protect the young animal.
Quick scene: Maine man rescues moose calf
According to the Malcolms’ account to The Associated Press, they had stopped to photograph a female moose near the tree line. “Grab your phone because you’re going to get a chance to get a picture of a moose,” Todd told Elvia, the couple said.
Instead, the Malcolms said the quiet sighting became chaotic when a calf and a bear came out of the woods and moved quickly toward the road. “I knew what I had to do and I just did it,” Todd told the AP, describing his decision to act.
How the pickup truck stopped the chase
The couple said Todd placed their pickup between the animals and the road. Todd described putting the truck in drive and accelerating forward to interrupt the chase.
They told reporters the motion made the bear veer to the side of the road and ultimately return to the woods. “Boom, gone, right in the woods,” Todd said to the AP, describing the bear’s retreat.
Elvia Malcolm said she took photos of the encounter through the windshield while remaining inside the vehicle. After the calf passed the truck, the Malcolms said they watched it reunite with its mother and then resumed their fishing trip.
What the Malcolms said and what is unverified
The details in this account come from Todd and Elvia Malcolm’s interview with The Associated Press. Their description that the bear was charging the calf and that the truck directly caused the bear to abandon the pursuit are witness-based claims reported as the couple described them to AP reporters.
Those statements have not been independently verified by wildlife officials or independent witnesses. The Malcolms told the AP they did not intend to harm the bear and that placing the truck between the animals was meant to interrupt the chase, not to engage the bear.
Todd described his emotions after the calf cleared the vehicle: “My heart was racing because I did not want to witness the bear catching the calf,” he told the AP.
Safety context and local wildlife notes
Wildlife experts advise people to keep a safe distance from large animals. Moose and bears can behave unpredictably, particularly when young animals are present.
If you encounter moose or bears, stay in your vehicle when possible and avoid actions that could escalate risk. Do not attempt to separate predators and prey if doing so would increase danger to people or animals. Observers should photograph wildlife from inside a secure vehicle and be prepared to leave the area calmly.
Roadside wildlife sightings are common in northern Maine, where moose populations are widespread and black bears inhabit adjacent woods. These encounters underscore the need for caution during outdoor recreation and while driving on rural roads.
Source and photos
The account and quotes in this report are drawn from Todd and Elvia Malcolm’s interview with The Associated Press. Elvia Malcolm told the AP she photographed the incident through the truck windshield while remaining inside the vehicle.
The reporting and witness quotes were provided to The Associated Press; The Associated Press contributed reporting on the incident. Original coverage of the encounter was published by Fox News.
Reporting for this story included material from The Associated Press.
