| CO-EXISTING WITH MOOSE
MOOSE CAN BE AGGRESSIVE.
Moose have evolved defenses to keep them from becoming easy prey.
Unfortunately for humans, moose sometimes perceive us as threats. When a
moose feels threatened it has only two choices, either to flee or
attack. Normally it will flee, and we can feel glad or apologetic, but
when a moose decides to be aggressive, we can find ourselves in a
dangerous situation.
Moose can become aggressive in winter when they are hungry, tired of
walking in deep snow, and being harassed by dogs and people. During
mating season bull moose may be aggressive towards other bulls and
humans.
Each year in Alaska more people are injured by moose than by bears.
In the past ten years two people have died from moose attacks in the
Anchorage area. Each year there are at least 5-1O moose-related injuries
in the Anchorage area alone, with many reports of charging moose in
neighborhoods or on ski trails.
AVOlD CONFRONTAT1ONS.
First and most important to avoiding confrontations is to give moose
plenty of room. DO NOT APPROACH THEM. Moose, like other animals, have a
distance around them, that if entered by another animal--wolf, dog,
bear, or human--causes them to react. Biologists call this area
"personal space" or "critical distance."
COWS AND CALVES NEED EXTRA ROOM.
Moose calves, because of their size and lack of experience, are
particularly susceptible to predation. Thus cow moose have evolved some
very strong defensive behaviors. If one perceives a threat to its calf,
it may attack. A cow moose can defend itself against a full-grown
grizzly. If you are out walking and see a calf but not a cow, be very
careful; you may have gotten between them and will want to remove
yourself without drawing their attention. Calves themselves can also be
dangerous. Weighing 200 to 400 pounds by their first winter, they are
fully equipped to injure a predator--or a human.
| DOGS AND MOOSE DON'T MIX.
Moose are likely to treat dogs just as they do wolves. If
Lassie barks and runs towards a moose, the moose is likely to
defend itself by lunging, kicking, and chasing the dog. A
frightened dog, not having been a wolf for several thousand
years, will run back to its master for protection, and you may
find yourself between your pet and 1000 pounds of irate moose
that seems capable of kicking in four directions at once.
Because moose consider dogs to be their enemies they may go out
of their way to kick at them, no matter if the dog is on a leash
or in a fenced yard. If you have a dog with you, give moose
extra room.
Each year packs of domestic dogs harm and sometimes kill
moose. Moose calves are especially vulnerable. It is against the
law to allow your pet to harass wildlife. If your dog is a
habitual offender it may be destroyed by authorized personnel.
Moose need to conserve energy during long Alaska winters. Being
chased by dogs can lead to exhaustion, weakness, inability to
move to feed, and ultimately death.
MOOSE BODY LANGUAGE.
Moose use body language as a method of communication.
Understanding this language will help keep both you and the
moose out of harmi way. The first thing you might notice is that
a moose has stopped feeding, walking, or resting, and is looking
at you. Its ears will be up and it will be listening as well as
looking for clues as to what you are, and what you may be up to.
You can stay where you are, or increase the distance between you
and the moose. The moose can move towards you, stay put, or move
away. What you do influences what the moose does. You should be
thinking: Does the moose have room! Does it have a safe escape
route! Could it consider me a threat! If the moose has your
garden fence on one side, your house on another, and you are in
its only path of escape, it is going to behave differently than
if it is on the edge of your lawn with only the Chugach
Mountains beyond. Even then, what looks like a logical escape
route to you isn't always apparent to a moose. Terrified moose
have run through and over all manner of things.
If the moose puts down its head, lowers its ears, and the
hair on its back and neck go up, it's time to start worrying and
looking for your own escape route. The moose may begin to lick
its lips and walk towards you. The moose is telling you very
clearly in moose language that either you have gotten too close
and are a threat, or, in urban areas where it may have been
hand-fed by humans, it may think you have something for it to
eat. Regardless of the reason, you are too close and in a
dangerous situation. Back off and look for something to get
behind.
|
A TRUE MOOSE STORY Sour Dough John
"l've noticed that moose get angry, especially after a long
winter ofharassment by people and dogs. Their anger can easily
be directed at an innocent bystander. Several years ago I was
working on my snow machine in the back yard, when a yearling
calf walked out ofthe woods. Its teeth were clicking, its
hackles were up, and its ears laid back. I chuckled as it slowly
approached me and when it reached a distance ofabout 20 yards, I
said, who are you trying to kid. When it got to within IO yards,
I waved my hands and yelled Shoo. In an instant I found myself
curled in a ball, the moose flailing over me. Fortunately, he
left me with only a few bruises, but he definitely proved his
point: I was on his turf and he could do what he darned pleased.
I had made three mistakes in this unprovoked attack. First, I
didn't realize that my dog had been pestering the moose in the
woods. Second, I didn't appreciate his verbar warnings. Third, I
underestimated his physical capabilities. This moose was in a
bad humor and I happened to be in his way. He gave me ample
opportunity to retreat, and when I didn't, I made his day. |
IF A MOOSE CHARGES...
Fortunately most moose charges are bluffs--warnings for you to get
back. They should nevertheless be taken seriously. If a moose chases
you, get behind something solid. You can run around a tree faster than a
moose can. If a moose knocks you down, it may continue running or start
stomping and kicking with all four feet. Curl up in a ball, protect your
head with your arms, and lie still. Don't try to move until the moose
moves a safe distance away or it may renew its attack.
DON'T FEED MOOSE. 1T'S AGAlNST THE LAW!
Feeding moose either at your house, dumpster, or haystack is against
the law. Moose quickly become habituated, and can be very aggressive
when they expect to be fed. It may seem harmless to feed a hungry moose
out of your car window or off your porch. However, when the same moose
charges a child on the way to school, with the hope of a handout, the
outcome can be tragic. A moose with a history of unprovoked attacks will
be shot by enforcement officers to protect public safety. By feeding a
moose, you are likely contributing to its death.
DON'T RESCUE BABY MOOSE.
Every year people find "abandoned" moose calves. In most cases the
mother has moved off for one reason or another and will return. If you
find a calf, remember that its best chance for survival is to be left
alone. After early July calves are weaned and capable of surviving on
their own, although they remain very vulnerable to predation.
REMEMBER. . .
If for any reason you have to get close to a moose, ALWAYS MAlNTAlN
AN ESCAPE ROUTE. |
