– Moose attacks Alaska man photographing newborn calves
– Alaska man killed by moose while taking photos of calves.
Accident – Death – Obituary News :
Anchorage, Alaska (AP) — A tragic incident unfolded in Homer, Alaska, on Sunday when a 70-year-old man, identified as Dale Chorman, was fatally attacked by a moose while attempting to capture photos of two newborn moose calves. The female moose, who had recently given birth to the calves, turned aggressive as Chorman and another individual ventured into the brush in search of the animals.
According to Austin McDaniel, a spokesperson for the Alaska Department of Public Safety, the attack occurred suddenly as the two men tried to flee from the enraged cow moose. While the second man managed to escape unharmed, Chorman tragically lost his life in the encounter.
Medical responders arrived at the scene promptly, but were unable to save Chorman. The cow moose, after asserting her dominance, eventually retreated from the area, leaving a sense of shock and sorrow in the community.
Previous Incidents and Moose Behaviour
Unfortunately, this is not the first time such a tragic incident has occurred in Alaska. In 1995, a 71-year-old man lost his life after being stomped by a moose on the campus of the University of Alaska Anchorage. Witness reports suggested that the moose and its calf were agitated by students throwing snowballs and harassing them, leading to the fatal attack.
While moose are generally not aggressive animals, they can exhibit protective behaviour, especially during calving season. According to the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, cow moose become extremely defensive of their young calves and will not hesitate to attack humans who encroach on their territory.
Precautionary Measures and Moose Characteristics
It is crucial for individuals to exercise caution and maintain a safe distance from moose, particularly during calving season. A small adult female moose can weigh up to 800 pounds, while a large male can weigh up to twice that amount. Standing at almost 6 feet tall, moose are formidable creatures that command respect and distance.
As McDaniel emphasised, provoking or startling moose, especially mothers with calves, can lead to unpredictable and dangerous situations. It is essential to avoid getting between a mother moose and her calves, as they will fiercely defend their young at all costs.
With a population of up to 200,000 moose in Alaska and a human population of about 737,000, interactions between humans and wildlife are inevitable. By understanding and respecting the natural behaviour of moose, tragedies like the one involving Dale Chorman can be prevented in the future.
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– Moose kills Alaska man attempting to take photos of newborn calves
– Alaska man killed by moose while photographing newborn calves.
