Calving Season Causes Moose Attacks

Chloe Metzger, 6, was playing on a swing set in her backyard with a neighborhood friend when a moose charged

Tools

By Kate McPherson
Bio | Email

Story Created: May 29, 2012 at 8:55 PM AKDT

Story Updated: May 30, 2012 at 9:58 AM AKDT

EAGLE RIVER - Chloe Metzger, 6, was playing on a swing set in her backyard with a neighborhood friend when the moose charged.

“The moose charged, and got tangled up in the swing set and started stomping on the six–year-old," said the responding Department of Fish and Game biologist David Battle.

“The moose might've just been right in the wood line there, and the girls started swinging and something about the swing set action could've set it off,” said Battle.

Metzger was taken to Providence Hospital with a broken collarbone. Her condition on Tuesday evening was described as “fair.”

Metzger’s 11-year-old friend Kelsey Lauren sustained a minor head injury when the swing set fell on her.

Anchorage will be home to many more calves over the next two months, as calving season is underway.

Wildlife biologists say the attack on Metzger could’ve been a defensive attack from a cow defending its young, but no calf was ever spotted.

“We don't know what happened to this moose two minutes before this situation happened. It could’ve been chased by dogs, it could’ve been any number of things that got the moose agitated,” said Battle.

There were two other moose attacks on Memorial Day; both incidents happened on the trails near Rabbit Creek Elementary. No one was seriously injured.
 

You have indicated this comment should be removed.

Close

The comment has been submitted for review. Thank you .

R said on Wednesday, May 30 at 8:43 AM

Our daughter was attacked, luckily she didn't suffer the injuries this child did, but we were surprised that she did not have nightmares following the attack. To "P" how can you say they are ugly creatures...they're majestic animals. Stop projecting your lack of self-esteem on to others.

92235026
Inappropriate? Alert Us!

S said on Wednesday, May 30 at 7:50 AM

They were here first you idiot.. If you don't like it, maybe you should move back to the lower 48!! No sympathy for you!!

92229696
Inappropriate? Alert Us!

P said on Wednesday, May 30 at 2:20 AM

i wish we could just shoot them in this town they are such a pain to have to deal with here plus they are stupid and ugly and annoying

92203866
Inappropriate? Alert Us!

Add a comment

Name:

Comment: 1000 Characters Left

KTVA CBS 11 | Anchorage, Alaska News and Weather and its affiliated companies are not responsible for the content of comments posted or for anything arising out of use of the above comments or other interaction among the users. We reserve the right to screen, refuse to post, remove or edit user-generated content at any time and for any or no reason in our absolute and sole discretion without prior notice, although we have no duty to do so or to monitor any Public Forum.
This content requires the latest Adobe Flash Player and a browser with JavaScript enabled. Click here for a free download of the latest Adobe Flash Player.