It’s calving season for moose in Alaska, and wildlife officials say residents should give protective mother moose plenty of space.
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Four separate moose encounters in the city have left five people with minor injuries since Memorial Day weekend, according to Alaska Department of Fish and Game Anchorage area biologist Cory Stantorf.
“It just kind of seemed that (it) all happened, unfortunately, in one weekend,” he said. “We had a lot of cow-calf encounters with people where moose ended up making contact with people, and it’s not unheard of.”
Moose will often stand their ground, but they are protecting a newborn calf. An adult moose can weigh up to 1,600 pounds and stand up to six feet tall.
Stantorf said it’s important to remember that humans aren’t the only ones taking advantage of the warmer recent weather in Anchorage.
“It’s summer, and it’s in full swing, and not only are people out and about, but so is our wildlife,” Stantorf said.
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The department has also gotten several reports of bears along the Coastal Trail and digging through garbage in residential areas, Stantorf said. This time of year, he said bears are hunting for moose calves, too.
Many people wear earbuds or headphones to listen to music while outside, but Stantorf recommends against it.
“Don’t give up one of your best senses in hearing those animals,” he said. “If you miss that warning, and you walk right into that bubble, then you don’t even know what’s happening, and you don’t have time to react.”
There are an estimated 1,600 moose in the Anchorage area. If you’re charged by one, Stantorf said to stand behind something solid, like a tree or vehicle. If you come across a bear, don’t run. Instead, back away slowly.
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