A 70-year-old Alaska man, Dale Chorman, was killed by a moose while attempting to take photos of the two newborn moose calves in Homer. The female moose had recently given birth to the calves when Chorman and another man were looking for them in the brush. The cow moose attacked Chorman, resulting in his death. The other man, who did not witness the attack, was uninjured. There are up to 200,000 moose in Alaska, and although they are not normally aggressive, they can become so if provoked.
In 1995, a 71-year-old man was killed by a moose on the campus of the University of Alaska Anchorage. Witnesses reported that students had been harassing the moose and its calf with snowballs, causing the animals to become agitated. When the man attempted to walk past them, the moose stomped him to death. Moose, especially female moose with calves, can be very protective and may attack humans who come too close. It is advised to give moose extra space during calving season to avoid provoking them and risking an aggressive reaction.
Moose in Alaska are known for their large size, with small adult females weighing up to 800 pounds and large adult males weighing twice that. Additionally, they can stand almost 6 feet tall. The Alaska Department of Fish and Game advises people to be cautious around moose, especially during calving season when females may be more aggressive in protecting their young. It is important to not startle the animals or get between a mother moose and her calves, as this can cause them to become unpredictable and potentially dangerous in their efforts to protect their offspring.
The moose that attacked Dale Chorman left the scene after the incident, and Alaska State Troopers confirmed his death on their online post. The second man who was with Chorman, but did not witness the attack, was unharmed. The exact cause of death for Chorman, whether he was kicked or stomped by the moose, or a combination of both, is still unclear. Moose attacks are rare, but when they do occur, it is often due to human provocation or getting too close to the animals, especially during calving season when they are protective of their young.
Authorities stress the importance of being cautious around moose in Alaska, as they can become unpredictable and agitated if they feel threatened or perceive a threat to their calves. It is advised to give moose extra space, especially during calving season, to avoid any potential conflicts. Cow moose, especially those with young calves, are known to be more aggressive when approached by humans. Understanding moose behavior and respecting their space can help prevent dangerous encounters like the one that resulted in the death of Dale Chorman, highlighting the importance of coexisting safely with wildlife in the Alaskan wilderness.
