Telos Township, Maine — A Lincoln couple heading out for a day of fishing on June 20, 2026, interrupted a predator-prey chase and helped a moose calf escape a black bear, according to photos and accounts provided by the witnesses.
Quick thinking in the woods
Elvia and Todd Malcolm were driving in Telos Township, about an hour from their home in Lincoln, when they spotted a female moose near the edge of a wooded area. The animals' behavior drew the couple's attention: the moose appeared agitated and was making grunting sounds that suggested she was calling to a calf.
Moments later, a calf and a large black bear burst from the trees and charged down a side road toward the Malcolms' parked truck. Fearing the calf would not outrun the bear, Todd Malcolm said he put the truck into drive and accelerated forward to place the vehicle between the two animals.
"I put the truck in drive and I just stepped on the gas," Todd Malcolm told The Associated Press. "I knew what I had to do and I just did it."
The bear jumped to the side and retreated into the woods. Once the calf passed the truck and was able to join its mother, Elvia Malcolm said she felt relief and later discovered she had captured clear photos of the chase on her phone, taken through the windshield.
What happened afterward
After confirming the mother and calf were reunited, the Malcolms continued to their planned fishing spot. They later caught brook trout there, the couple said.
Practical takeaways for Mainers
While this episode ended without injury to people or the animals involved, it highlights common safety and wildlife considerations for residents and visitors in rural Maine:
- Keep a safe distance from moose and other large wildlife; mothers can be highly protective.
- Do not exit your vehicle when large predators are nearby; the Malcolms took photos from inside their truck.
- If you encounter aggressive wildlife, prioritize non-confrontational measures to separate animals and avoid escalating the situation.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Date | June 20, 2026 |
| Location | Telos Township, Maine |
| Witnesses | Elvia and Todd Malcolm (reside in Lincoln) |
| Animals | Female moose, calf, black bear |
The Malcolms' decision to act came from a split-second judgment call in a remote setting. Their actions and the photographs they later reviewed provide a clear example of a tense wildlife encounter resolved without injury. Authorities generally advise observing wildlife from a distance and alerting local land managers or animal control when animals pose ongoing danger to people or pets.
This incident is a reminder of how quickly wildlife encounters can unfold across northern and interior Maine, especially during warmer months when moose calves are young and predators are active. Local residents and visitors should remain vigilant when traveling on back roads and in forested areas.
