Farmer Notices Abandoned Moose On His Property And Gives Her A New Chance At Life
Moose—the largest members of the deer family—might bring to mind their more festive cousins, the reindeer, but don't be fooled by their gentle appearance. These towering animals can weigh up to 1,000 pounds and command serious presence. Still, Erikas Plucas wasn’t the least bit fazed. A seasoned farmer with a deep love for animals, Erikas didn’t hesitate to step in when he found a baby moose in distress. What followed was an extraordinary bond between man and moose—one that would go on to shape local hunting practices in unexpected ways.
The Pastoral Life
Meet Erikas Plucas, a Lithuanian farmer living near the edge of a forest, surrounded by the peaceful rhythm of the countryside. Like many who prefer a quieter life far from the city's chaos, Erikas finds joy in the simplicity and serenity of rural living.
Though tucked away from urban crowds, solitude is rarely part of his days. Erikas devotes much of his time to tending his farm animals and connecting with the wildlife that frequently wanders in from the neighboring woods.
An Unexpected Discovery
One afternoon, Erikas returned to his farm and spotted a baby moose lying just outside the gate. Anyone familiar with wildlife knows that finding a young animal alone often means its mother is nearby—and potentially protective or even aggressive.
Erikas carefully surveyed the area but saw no sign of the mother. Approaching gently to avoid frightening the calf, he took a closer look. Judging by the moose's condition, Erikas quickly pieced together what likely happened to the young animal.
Looking For Safety
As Erikas approached the fragile calf, he estimated she was no more than two weeks old. "The first time I saw her, it broke my heart," he later said. Like most young wild animals, the moose was initially terrified of him.
But she didn't have the strength to run. Without her mother, the calf had neither food nor protection. Covered in dirt and swarmed by flies, it was clear the little moose was in desperate need of help.
What Happened?
As Erikas observed the frail moose calf, the pieces of her story began to fall into place. He suspected her condition stemmed from a heartbreaking cause—her mother had likely been injured or killed.
It seemed possible the young moose had witnessed hunters take her mother and, driven by instinct, bolted in search of safety. Whether exhaustion forced her to stop or she somehow sensed the farm was a haven, something had guided her to Erikas' gate—seeking shelter, protection, and perhaps a second chance.
Damage Control
Upon finding the vulnerable calf, Erikas's first instinct was to call animal services—and he did so right away. But with assistance not expected until the next day, he knew he had to act quickly to give the young moose a fighting chance.
He collected fresh green leaves and carefully offered them to her, along with some milk to help nourish her. The calf was extremely weak, and every moment mattered. Erikas wasted no time doing whatever he could to keep her alive through the night.
Lack Of Support
The young moose took well to the food Erikas offered. Confident that she needed to eat right away in order to survive, Erikas was happy to see that she would likely make it to the morning, after all.
Since he already contacted animal services, the next step was to solicit advice. Erikas contacted friends but was surprised that they all seemed to have the same negative reaction. They encouraged him to "let nature take care of it," Erikas said.
Committed To Helping Her
Regardless of what anyone said, it was already on Erikas' heart to save the baby moose. A true nature-loving farmer, it wasn't in him to simply disregard a helpless creature, especially after bringing her to safety.
The odds of this young calf surviving this far were slim, and he wasn't going to give up on a miracle. Fortunately, he had a barn that would keep her safe from predators. However, he was met with further indifference the following day when animal services arrived.
There Was Only One Way To Keep Her Safe
The calf's condition was better by the morning when animal services arrived. However, they came with sad news. Since there wasn't a service that provided care for orphaned forest animals in Lithuania, they couldn't offer her help.
Instead, they suggested that Erikas call local hunters and inquire if they would take the female moose off his hands. It became clear that the only way to keep her out of harm's way would be to raise her himself.
The Start Of A Friendship
Upon asking his friends for advice, many of them stressed their concern that it may be illegal for Erikas to take on the wild moose as his own. He brought this up with animal services, and to his surprise, they assured him that it would be okay for him to keep her.
However, they also warned him that he would be completely responsible for her from then on. Even knowing he wouldn't receive any help from others, Erikas agreed to take care of the calf.
Afraid Of Everything
It was as though the young moose knew that Erikas was unlike other humans, or at least sensed his willingness to help her. She was petrified of everything except for him.
Physical healing was one thing. However, there was an emotional component that Erikas would have to work with, too. Since she had been scared from an extremely young age, he would need to put in some effort to build her confidence again.
Sudden Fatherhood
Erikas named the calf Emma and committed to being there for her as long as she needed. This wasn't an easy task while she was young. She needed to be fed frequently and craved Erikas' presence constantly.
As soon as he would walk into the house she would cry. So, he began sleeping in the barn just to help Emma feel safe. All of his efforts were not lost on the young moose. She grew to trust Erikas above all else.
She Found Her Comfort Zone
Erikas continued to meet every need of Emma's, and so she began to trust him and his farm. At last, the baby moose could feel comfortable and safe in her new home.
However, Erikas new that she couldn't live on a farm forever. He wanted her to have a normal life and knew that meant gradually supporting her reintroduction into the wild. Emma was scared of everything outside of her safe bubble, so getting her back on her own would be a challenge.
Growing Up
While all of Erikas' love and support, Emma began growing larger. Erikas knew that it was time to start taking her out of her comfort zone. He did this by taking her on walks through the forest.
He hoped that being in nature would help develop her natural instincts. Despite her traumatic experiences, Emma followed Erikas wherever he went. At first, she was hesitant to go back into the forest. However, she trusted the man who raised her.
Teaching Her The Ways Of The Wild
Without a mother to teach her the ways of the wild, Emma was ill-equipped to take care of herself. Fortunately, Erikas knew a fair amount about nature and the forest.
As she was nearly grown, it was imperative to teach Emma all he could before releasing her back into the wild. So, Erikas walked her to safe areas that can food. He did his best to communicate to her where she should and shouldn't go so that one day she could do it on her own.
Getting Comfortable With The Wild
Gradually, Emma became more and more comfortable with nature. In addition to going for walks, she and Erikas began swimming together in nearby lakes. Sunshine or snow, the pair could be seen spending time outdoors.
As she began to adapt to different outdoor settings, Emma grew increasingly more comfortable and trusting. When it came to humans, however, the only one she was okay with was Erikas. He said, "To me, she is gentle and loving."
A Gentle Giant
Emma had grown so accustomed to Erikas that she even began watching her strength when she was around him. It was because of him that she was able to grow big and strong, but that also made her a danger.
Erikas was no match to Emma now that she had all of her strength and weighed hundreds of pounds. However, that was never a problem; she was always careful not to hurt the man who had cared for her.
Too Kind To Be Hunted
Emma's gentleness towards Erikas was something he couldn't keep to himself. She was proof that moose were emotional creatures capable of caring for not only their own kind but for a human.
Emma was grown and nearly ready to take on life by herself. Erikas couldn't risk Emma falling victim to the same fate that had taken her mother's life. He had to do something to ensure Emma's safety, at the very least for his own peace of mind.
Changing The Mind Of Hunters
He decided to have a few hunters come over so that they could see that Emma was more than a meal. Her intelligence was evident in her ability to contain herself and avoid causing harm. Her love was also apparent in the way she was with Erikas.
Sure enough, the hunters who came over vowed not to inflict harm on the sweet animal. Some of them decided that they would avoid hunting moose altogether, while others decided they were done hunting period.
Leaving For The Day
Thanks to the love and help of her human friend, Emma was gaining confidence. She went from being afraid of the forest, to following Erikas on walks through the forest each day.
Eventually, she began wandering off all by herself. Like a parent, Erikas had to grow accustomed to her absence and trust she would return safely. He knew that the local hunters would stay clear of harming her and that she was strong, but it still worried him.
Learning To Let Go
Erikas' fear spiked the first night that Emma spent the night in the forest. He recalls that he barely even slept. The very place he had taught Emma to trust was now a source of fear for Erikas.
However, he knew that this was exactly what he'd hoped for and raised her to do. Sure enough, Emma returned after each of her adventures. Safe, grown, and fully independent, she was beginning to live her life in her natural habitat.
She Still Visits Home
Despite being comfortable in the wild, Emma still comes back to Erikas' farm every day. Now that she doesn't need him to survive, her love is all the more clear. The only incentive to come back is to enjoy time with the man who raised her.
Erikas could be more proud of the fact that Emma is capable of surviving on her own. At the same time, it's a great relief every time she does return.
Emma Had A Surprise
Now that Emma has a home in the forest and a place to stay on the farm, it doesn't seem like things could get any better for her. However, everything changed when Erikas noticed something.
Emma had come home as usual, but something was off about her. Gradually, Erikas could help but realize that she was getting bigger. She was already fully grown, but the animal's stomach was continuing to swell. That's when it all clicked.
An Expecting Mother
Erikas isn't a veterinarian, but he does keep animals on his farm. Seeing pregnant animals was nothing new for him, and he became more and more sure with the passing days that Emma had become pregnant.
Not only was this wonderful news because there would be more sweet moose around, but also because it meant she had made it. Surviving on her own was one thing, but starting a family was a whole new level of success.
Forever Friends
Emma had blossomed into the moose she was always meant to be. That still didn't stop her from coming back every day to visit with the man who made it all possible.
If it weren't for Erikas, she wouldn't have survived past a few weeks old. Now, Emma isn't only fully grown, but gets to live on in her offspring. If one thing's for sure, it's that her calf will be extra safe with a confident mother and a supportive human friend.
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