Caribou, Deer, Elk & Moose - Sounds Wild
Protective mother moose

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Protective mother moose

On a pleasant evening in early June, the heavily wooded Eagle River Valley is peaceful. But this area - home to people and wildlife - has seen some conflicts in recent years.

In May of 2017, a mother moose sent a woman to the hospital with lacerations and broken ribs. She was walking her two leashed dogs on a wooded trail in her Eagle River neighborhood early in the evening when she surprised a moose cow with two calves. The cow attacked.

Early summer is moose calving season, a time when moose are considered their most dangerous. Biologist Dave Battle said cows with calves are notoriously testy this time of year. Newborn calves are still shaky on their feet the first few weeks after they are born, and unable to effectively flee predators. Until the calves learn to run, mama moose are likely to stand their ground in almost all circumstances.

"Any cow with calves is likely to charge if someone gets too close," he said.

Bicyclists and runners should be especially alert, as they can swiftly top hills or round corners and run into moose. Making noise to alert wildlife is always a good precaution.

If you come upon a moose calf or bear cub without its mother in view, be alert - you may have walked between them. The best course of action is usually to back away and leave from the direction you came. Don't assume young animals found alone are orphaned. Mother moose, deer and bears frequently leave their young for short periods, walk out of sight, or become separated from them by fences or roads. Sow bears often send cubs up trees to wait before leaving to find food. In nearly all cases, the mothers return to their young.