SPOKANE, Wash. — While a lot of children are keeping en eye out for reindeer this holiday season, a neighborhood on Spokane’s South Hill is celebrating the return of a well-known moose.
For a few years, ‘Blink’ the moose has made period visits to front yards along High Drive.
He got his name from the tag given to him by Washington Fish and Wildlife that identifies him as number ‘182.’
Neighbors gave him the nickname ‘Blink’ after the popular pop-punk band, Blink 182.
Blink was tagged by Fish and Wildlife Enforcement Officer, Tony Leonetti, in August after a vent was removed from his hoof.
He was rescued and released back into the wild.
“His habitat, where we got him from, that is his home. That’s the best place to release from there,” said Leonetti.
Over the years, Blink has made quite a connection with folks living on High Drive.
“We’ve been watching this pair of moose for the last couple of years and they keep coming back. It’s fun to see how the size of the moose has grown,” said High Drive resident, Ed Bruya.
Bruya grew up in Spokane, but said he doesn’t remember seeing many moose as a kid.
“There’s a Spokane saying, ‘Near Nature, Near Perfect,’ and I think what we’re starting to see is a lot more animals,” he said.
Although each moose sighting is special, they are not uncommon in the area.
Washington Fish and Wildlife said they answer frequent calls about moose sightings in the community.
“There’s a lot of natural habitat, a lot of natural food sources for them up here,” said Leonetti. “A lot of the times, as they move on, on their own, they just do their thing. They’re moving through.”
Neighbors in the High Drive area said they want to make sure Blink and his moose friends can move through the area safely. They said drivers should remember to slow down and be aware of crossing moose as they move along the bluff.
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