Biologist say aggressive moose — like the one that attacked musher Bridgett Watkins’ dog team near Fairbanks — are more common this winter. That's because of a number of factors from deep snow to wolves.
A moose refuses to move from a train track near Caswell, Alaska. Heavy snow in recent weeks in the area has made travel difficult for moose, putting recreators on high alert.
Watkins ducked behind her sled just as the moose started trampling her team. Watkins was out of ammo. She said she was able to cut some of her dogs loose, but couldn’t free all of them and each time she moved, the moose seemed to get angrier. “That moose had a look in his eye that he just wanted death to occur,” she said. “He just wanted to kill.She was stuck there for nearly an hour until a snowmachiner arrived and killed the moose.
Extreme rain and snow in December is the culprit, biologists say. Just before Christmas, the Interior was hammered by a bout of more than a foot of snow, followed by 2 inches of rain, followed by another foot of snow. Southcentral has been hammered by heavy snow mixed with rain over the last few weeks, and particularly heavy snow hit around Willow where the race starts.
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Alaska News Nightly: Tuesday, March 1, 2022 - Alaska Public MediaTonight on Alaska News Nightly... Tensions with Russia hit Alaska’s economy. Also, a charter boat crew saves a man clinging to ice in Cook Inlet. And aggressive moose are putting Iditarod mushers on high alert. Listen here:
Read more »
Alaska lawmakers weigh proposed health department split - Alaska Public MediaA proposal from Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s administration to split the state Department of Health and Social Services into two agencies will take effect later this year unless lawmakers this month vote to reject the idea.
Read more »
Ravn Alaska takes steps to make FlyCoin a viable cryptocurrency - Alaska Public MediaThe regional airline is working to make its reward credits redeemable for hard currency.
Read more »
Alaska Airlines suspends partnership with Russian airline - Alaska Public Media“We are deeply concerned by the humanitarian crisis taking place in Ukraine,” said a statement from Alaska Airlines. ”As a result, we are temporarily suspending our partnership with the Russian airline S7.”
Read more »