NEW BRITAIN, Conn. -- A female moose was spotted several times wandering around New Britain Wednesday by residents.

The moose was first spotted early Wednesday before heading into a large wooded area where wildlife biologists said they believe it is at the moment.

Police said they were called after a crowd formed on one city street to catch a glimpse of the moose.

"It kind of worries me, with them being outside and that big animal," resident Edward Stolarun said.

Biologists with the Department of Environmental Protection said they believe it's a young moose that wandered away from its group in northwest Connecticut. They said there are only about 100 moose in the state and that the wooded area in New Britain is not a suitable home because the area isn't large enough for it to roam.

The biologists said they had cornered the moose earlier in the day Wednesday, but that it got away before they could tranquilize it.

But until it's caught, Tanya Gobar said her children are keeping their eyes peeled.

"They're like, 'Mom, can we go find it? Can we go over there?'" Gobar said.

The DEP said moose can travel great distances and that because of the hot weather, the moose could be searching for water.