ANCHORAGE & MAT-SU - Since Tuesday night the Alaska Moose Federation (AMF) has gotten multiple calls about a moose calf stuck on the side of the road between Palmer and Sutton. On one side is a cliff and the other side is the busy Parks Highway.

This young moose is just one of many assumed to be orphaned this winter, due to moose/vehicle collisions. Roughly 10 to 15 calls are placed to AMF a day about moose calves stranded on the sides of roads all over town, from Spenard to Tudor to Lake Otis, but the spooky statistic is that 50 percent of all moose hit are calves.

“They are virtually all over the roads.”

Between Mat-Su and Anchorage alone, AMF has salvaged right under 100 moose this winter, according to AMF Executive Director Gary Olson.

The calf stranded next to the busy Parks Highway has a good chance of being hit as well. Alaska Fish and Game studies show when a cow is hit, her calf will stay on the road until it is hit as well.

According to Olseon, people have been dropping off oranges and other various food items to the calf – which counteracts the divisionary feeding permit recently given by Fish and Game to the AMF. The permit is supposed to help keep moose off of busy roads and bring them back into the wilderness.

Orphaned calves are not the only issue though; aggressive moose have been an issue all across the Mat-Su and Anchorage area. Just two weeks ago two parents were attacked by agitated moose walking their children to bus stops.

The University of Alaska Anchorage has also had several aggressive moose sightings this winter. Last month a moose was shot and put down on campus because it was charging several students, according to Brad Mun of the University Police Department.

Because of the heavy snowfall moose are agitated and hungry, and heading for the trails and roads when the snow is shallower, causing more danger for themselves and humans.

If you would like to help the Alaska Moose Federation or give them a tip go to http://growmoremoose.org.