Tragedy struck in Homer, Alaska, on Sunday when a 70-year-old man, identified as Dale Chorman, was attacked and killed by a mother moose while attempting to take photographs of her two newborn calves.

According to Austin McDaniel, a spokesperson for the Alaska Department of Public Safety, the female moose had recently given birth to the calves in Homer. Chorman and another individual were walking through the brush in search of the moose when the cow moose launched the attack.

“The cow moose attacked Dale as they were walking through the brush looking for the moose,” McDaniel stated. The attack occurred while the two were attempting to flee the scene.

The other individual, who has not been publicly identified, escaped unharmed. However, as they did not witness the attack, authorities could not ascertain the exact cause of Chorman’s death, whether it was due to kicks, stomps, or a combination of both.

Emergency medical personnel pronounced Chorman dead at the scene, after which the cow moose left the area, according to Alaska State Troopers.

This tragic incident recalls a similar event in 1995 when a 71-year-old man was fatally stomped by a moose while attempting to enter a building on the campus of the University of Alaska Anchorage. Witnesses reported that the moose and its calf had been harassed by students for hours prior to the attack.

Alaska is home to an estimated population of up to 200,000 moose. While moose are typically not aggressive, they can become so when provoked, especially during calving season.

During this time, cow moose become highly protective of their calves and may attack humans who approach too closely. Authorities advise giving moose extra space during calving season and caution against spooking the animals or getting between a mother and her calves.

“Cow moose with calves are going to be some of the more aggressive moose you’re going to come in contact with,” McDaniel warned. “Those moose will become unpredictable and work to protect their calves at any cost.”

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