– Moose attacks man photographing newborn calves
– Alaskan man killed by moose while taking pictures of calves.
Accident – Death – Obituary News : Anchorage, Alaska (AP) — A tragic incident unfolded in Alaska as a 70-year-old man, Dale Chorman of Homer, lost his life while attempting to capture photographs of two newborn moose calves. The mother moose, in a protective stance, attacked and fatally injured Chorman, marking a heartbreaking end to his wildlife encounter.
The female moose had recently given birth to the calves in Homer, creating a delicate and potentially dangerous situation for anyone who ventured too close. According to Austin McDaniel, a spokesperson for the Alaska Department of Public Safety, the attack occurred as Chorman and a companion were walking through the brush in search of the moose. The mother moose, in a display of maternal instinct, reacted aggressively to protect her young.
While the details of the attack remain unclear due to the lack of a direct witness, medics pronounced Chorman dead at the scene. The surviving companion, who has chosen to remain unidentified, escaped unharmed. The cow moose, after the unfortunate incident, retreated from the area, leaving behind a somber reminder of the dangers inherent in wildlife interactions.
This isn’t the first instance of a moose causing harm in Alaska. In 1995, a 71-year-old man met a tragic fate when a moose stomped him to death while he was trying to enter a building on the campus of the University of Alaska Anchorage. Provoked by students throwing snowballs and harassing the moose and its calf, the animals were agitated and reacted violently to the man’s presence.
Alaska is home to a sizable moose population, with up to 200,000 individuals roaming the vast landscapes of the state. While these majestic creatures are typically docile, they can exhibit aggressive behavior when provoked or when their young are threatened. The Alaska Department of Fish and Game emphasizes the need for caution during calving season, warning that cow moose with calves are particularly prone to defensive actions.
Moose, the largest members of the deer family, can weigh up to 800 pounds for a small adult female and double that for a large adult male. Standing tall at almost 6 feet, these impressive animals command respect and distance to ensure the safety of both humans and wildlife.
As the community mourns the loss of Dale Chorman, a reminder echoes through Alaska’s wilderness — respect nature, give wildlife space, and approach encounters with caution and awareness. The beauty of the natural world is best admired from a safe distance, allowing both humans and animals to coexist harmoniously in the vast expanse of the Alaskan landscape..
Moose kills Alaska man attempting to take photos of her newborn calves
Alaska man killed by moose while photographing newborn calves.
