A young moose wandering near the Massachusetts Turnpike in Ludlow was captured Friday by Massachusetts Environmental Police and taken to a safer location.

Lieutenant Tara Caroon of the Environmental Police estimated the moose was about 8 or 9 months old and weighed 200 pounds. Caroon said the animal was seen wandering in the area during the morning commute.

“He really just had nowhere to go,’’ Caroon said.

The end of March is earlier than authorities tend to see young moose leaving their mothers.

“It just seems weird that it is happening a bit soon,’’ Caroon said.

This is the second moose in a week that Environmental Police officers had to capture and move. A moose was spotted in Dunstable and led to safety.

Caroon said the moose was immobilized before being taken to an undisclosed area about 11 a.m. Friday.

Although it is not uncommon for an 8- or 9-month-old moose to be out on its own, there is a possibility its mother is in the Ludlow area.

People are encouraged to contact Environmental Police if she is spotted in the area, especially close to the highway.

Maddie Kilgannon can be reached at maddie.kilgannon@globe.com. Follow her on Twitter @MaddieKilgannon.