moose attack in Washington
fatal moose encounter in Washington.
Accident – Death – Obituary News :
A tragic incident occurred in Alaska when a 70-year-old man was fatally attacked by a moose while attempting to take photos of two newborn moose calves. The man, identified as Dale Chorman of Homer, was killed on Sunday, May 19, by the mother moose, according to Austin McDaniel, a spokesperson for the Alaska Department of Public Safety.
The female moose had recently given birth to the calves in Homer. As Chorman and another man were walking through the brush looking for the moose, the cow moose attacked Chorman. The second man, who has not been publicly identified, managed to escape unharmed as they ran away from the scene.
Authorities were unable to determine the exact cause of Chorman’s death as the witness did not see the attack. Medics pronounced Chorman dead at the scene, and the cow moose left the area, as reported by Alaska State Troopers.
The Alaska Department of Fish and Game, which often receives reports of aggressive moose behavior, expressed concern for public safety following the incident. While the department has the authority to put down animals that pose a threat, they are not currently pursuing that course of action.
Population of Moose in Washington
Staci Lehman, the communications manager for the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW), stated that Washington is home to approximately 5,000 Shiras moose as of 2015. These moose are slightly smaller than those found in Alaska, with the majority residing in the Selkirk Mountains and smaller populations in other regions of the state.
Comparatively, Alaska is home to up to 200,000 moose, even though the state has a human population of about 737,000.
Human-Moose Interactions in Washington
While moose encounters in Washington are generally peaceful, there has been an increase in sightings of moose entering areas with larger human populations. According to the WDFW, moose sometimes venture into suburban and urban areas, especially in Spokane, where water and vegetation are abundant.
Despite the incident in Alaska, fatal moose attacks are rare, with the last one occurring in the state three decades ago. The WDFW emphasizes that moose attacks on humans are considered uncommon.
Interacting Safely with Moose
Although moose are typically not aggressive, they can become dangerous if provoked. The WDFW advises people to give moose plenty of space, avoid approaching them, and back away slowly if encountered in the wild.
Furthermore, moose view dogs as a threat and may react aggressively towards them. Dog owners are advised to keep their pets on a leash and avoid loud noises when in moose territory.
During the calving season (May-June), cow moose with calves are particularly defensive and should be approached with caution. It is essential to give moose plenty of space and avoid any actions that could provoke them.
While encounters with moose can be exciting, it is crucial to respect these animals’ space and behave cautiously to ensure both human and moose safety.
Contributing: The Associated Press
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