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Sunday, November 3, 2024

Musk ox attacked German tourist

One of the large, horned musk ox that roam the mountains of Dovre in central Norway attacked a German tourist near the Kongsvoll mountain lodge on Friday. The tourist, a man in his 70s, was rescued after an ambulance, helicopter and police rsponded to the call for help.

Moskus have roamed the mountains of Dovre for many years. PHOTO: Flickr.com
Moskus have roamed the mountains of Dovre for many years. PHOTO: Flickr.com

There had been reports earlier in the day of the normally shy musk ox (called moskus in Norwegian) spotted along the E6 highway that runs over the mountains. Another hiker in the area reported seeing moskus on a trail in the area as well, according to wildlife authorities.

The extent of the German tourist’s injuries were unclear, “but the man was conscious,” emergency operations lader Wiktor Pederson of the Sør-Trøndelag Police District told state broadcaster NRK.

The animals, which are a tourist attraction in Dovre, can weigh up to 400 kilos (over 800 pounds) and run at the rate of 60 kilometers per hour. They can be dangerous if irritated and people are warned to maintain a distance of at least 200 meters.

NRK reported that the last serious attack occurred in 1981, when an Italian tourist was gored in the leg by a moskus. The most serious attack occurred in 1963 when a man meeting a moskus was killed.

newsinenglish.no staff

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