Moment moose attacks little girl as tourists feed the animal in a Russian national park [Video]

This is the shocking moment a wild moose turns violent and attacks a small child while tourists feed the 800lb animal. 

The short clip, filmed in Zyuratkul National Park, Russia on November 30, begins with a dozen tourists surrounding the moose as they take pictures and feed the creature.

Initially, the beast seems docile as it trots around and allows members of the group, both young and old, to pat its nose.

But, it soon tires of human interaction, and lashes out at a girl standing in front of it with its powerful front legs, knocking her to the floor.

The attack shocks the crowd into silence as the moose gears up for a second attack, leaping into the child again before being chased away by the group. 

A wild moose turns violent and attacks a small child while tourists feed the 800lb animal in Russia’s Zyuratkul National Park

The beast lashes out at a girl standing in front of it with its powerful front legs, knocking her to the floor

Initially, the moose seems docile as it trots around and allows members of the group, both young and old, to pat its nose

The curious creature scans the group before approaching, sniffing their hands in the hope of some food. 

It approaches the camera, showing off its huge frame and developing antlers, before twisting away and continuing to search for his next meal.

After around 40 seconds, the moose is fed by a woman standing just to the right of the camera, eagerly snapping at her fingers which prompts laughter from the cameraman.

As it chews on the food, it turns to face the young child, probably expecting more morsels.

But instead of standing there peacefully as it had done previously, the beast quickly rears up and sends a strong kick in the direction of the girl, planting his leg squarely on her chest.

She falls to the ground amid shocked gasps from the crowd, and before anyone can react the animal lunges at the girl again, prompting further cries from the group. 

Despite missing its target, the crowd starts angrily shouting and chases the beast off with walking sticks.

It approaches the camera, showing off its huge frame and developing antlers, before twisting away and continuing to search for his next meal

The curious creature scans the group before approaching, sniffing their hands in the hope of some food

But in spite of the shocking scenes, there was little sympathy to be found for the girl who was attacked in comments shared online, with one person pointing to the fact it was the home of wild animals rather than a child’s petting zoo.

William wrote: ‘What a bunch of idiots. Respect for animals starts by understanding that they’re wild! When a wild moose acts wild, why be surprised?’

Widely advertised as the home of moose, bears and red deer, the Zyuratkul National Park offers an unrivalled opportunity to get up close and personal with wildlife

The attack shocks the crowd into silence as the moose gears up for a second attack, leaping into the child again before being chased away by the group

One woman wielding a walking stick shoos off the moose after it attacked the child

Belle Maldonado added: ‘Wow people it’s a wild animal no matter how gentle it may look you just don’t pet it because it’s natural instincts is or will be to attack. 

‘Moose are wild animals just leave that way. People do you not realize those children could have been very seriously injured or even killed.’

The Zyuratkul National Park in Russia’s Chelyabinsk region is popular among tourists, with more than 100,000 making the trip annually.

Widely advertised as the home of moose, bears and red deer, the reserve offers an unrivalled opportunity to get up close and personal with wildlife. 

Unlike most animals which are equipped with the ‘fight or flight’ instinct, moose are known to attack humans if they feel threatened or they are hungry or tired. 

And according to the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, regularly feeding a moose can actually condition it to become more aggressive when it’s hungry.

The expert website states: ‘Moose with a history of being fed may approach an unsuspecting person in hopes of receiving a hand-out. 

‘It may attack if it sees that the person has no food to offer. Don’t feed moose and ask your neighbors not to feed them. 

‘If your neighborhood moose is fed by humans, chances it will charge people, including children, increase.’