MINOT (AP) - A pair of unusual hikers may be part of a family hanging around this city.

The moose, a large cow and a young bull, were spotted Tuesday afternoon. City Traffic Department trucks chased the cow briefly before the animal disappeared into the thick brush of the coulee.

Richard Schnell, the police department's animal control officer, said the pair may be part of a family unit that seems to like the area.

"We're not really sure if they're coming in and out (of Minot) nightly or exactly what the patterns are," he said. "But these seem to have been around for some time now."

Schnell is warning people not to approach the moose, saying they may become dangerous if startled or if they feel threatened.

"We want the general public to try to avoid coming into contact with them," Schnell said. "These are not like deer. They're large animals, and they have no fear of traffic or people. They're going to take off in a straight line."