MOOSE + Calves = BAD NEWS!

We have concluded that we get out of school here earlier than other places due to the wildlife in Alaska.  Mamma Moose's come into the city to have their babies late May, early June.  We get out mid-May.  Many moose deliver babies behind houses or on the MANY trails that run though the houses.  Trail that the kids use to get to and from school on.  Usually neighbors keep each other posted with signs and what not so nobody goes near these areas.  I have always been a bit leary due to the stories I have heard. 

Moose are very protective of their calves.  Moose are also very fast and strong.  They can charge in an instant.  Moose cause more fatalities here than anything else.  Sadly, we had a young girl in our neighborhood get trampled by a moose.  Her name is Chloe.  She is 6 years old and the younger sister to one of Sis' friends. 

She was jumping on the trampoline during Memorial Day with her 9 year old neighbor.  Their backyard is not fenced and opens to forest.  They had to go to the bathroom.  They decided to pee in the woods.  Little did they or their parents who were on the deck know that a moose was out in that forest.  Further, there was a dead calf that the momma had just lost and was mourning. 

These two girls saw the moose and screamed but it was too late.  The moose charged the older girl to the swing set.  She put the set between herself and the moose...like we are taught, to put something between you...it knocked down the whole playset and it landed on the girl trapping her.  The moose then caught sight of the other little girl and charged her.  The parents had to watch helpless.

Luckily, little miss Chloe is "okay".  She has had multiple surgeries on her left arm as it sheared the skin and muscles off the bone.  She also suffered a broken collar bone.  She is very lucky to still be alive.   We are all praying for her speedy recovery. 

What an eye opener for us.  It is not the bear you fear here....it is the moose with a baby.  KEEP YOUR DISTANCE.  And I believe this is why we get out of school BEFORE the momma moose have their babies in our backyards.  SCARY!