In the summer months, new moose calves are getting stronger (Photo: Lisa Hupp/USFWS)

More people are injured by moose than bears in Alaska each year. Now with the moose calving season coming to an end, Upper Lynn Canal’s wildlife biologists caution the public to be alert of moose and their young, and always keep a distance. 

 

While it can be exciting and incredibly cute to see baby moose, It can turn into a dangerous situation very quickly, says Alaska Department of Fish and Game wildlife biologist Carl Koch

“The public should never try and approach the moose calf, because the cow can be nearby where they can’t see them, and they will aggressively defend their calves.” 

Last month, a woman in Nikiski was trampled by a moose after approaching a calf in her backyard. The mother was just behind a fence, and quickly jumped it and charged her. 

Koch says there have been several similar cases already this year of people being injured by moose kicking or stomping in defense of their young. 

 “The cow has fight or flight but she can’t use flight because she’ll be abandoning the calf,” Koch said. “They’ll kick you, and they can kick in 360 degrees. And it’s like getting kicked by a horse, it can be very dangerous.”

Alternatively, if the mother moose is not in the immediate area, don’t think the baby moose is abandoned. The mother will come back for it eventually. 

Koch says he gets calls every year, and his answer is always leave it alone. People should not try and rescue baby moose.

“Twenty-four or 48 hours later 95% of the time people will say it’s gone,” Koch said. “And it’s because the cow came back, maybe later in the evening or something and rounded it up and left.” 

“It’s very common throughout Alaska people pick them up, take them back, call you, and then it’s a disaster you know, not a disaster but, you’re risking that they may never be reunited. And if there’s no placement for the calf it has to be euthanized. 

People should also be cautious while driving – hitting a moose at high speed can be deadly. 

So for the safety of everyone, be cautious and keep your distance from moose this summer. For more information on moose, see the Alaska Department of Fish and Games’ ‘Living with Moose’ page here.