LARGE ANIMAL ATTACKS - Medicine for Mountaineering and Other Wilderness Activities - page 470

into the animal'sterritory.During the rutting season, male ungulates commonly gowithout
food, and the combination of hunger and elevated hormone levels makes them irascible.
Dogs that harass moose are another source of human attacks. Moose equate dogs with
wolves and attack them. When the dog runs back to—or behind—its owner, the moose at-
tacks the owner.
According to the website of a moose conservation organization, moose injure more
peoplethanbearsdoeachyearinAlaska.Eachyearfivetotenmoose-relatedinjuriesoccur
just in the Anchorage area, and in a recent ten-year period two people died from moose
attacks in that area.
The first indication that a moose attack may be imminent is the animal stops feeding or
walking and looks at the individual who has approached. Its ears are up, and it is listening.
If the moose puts down its head, lowers its ears, and the hair on its back and neck go up,
it often is preparing to charge. The moose may begin to lick its lips and walk toward the
person, which can be an indication that it has been fed by humans in the past. Moose that
have been fed may become angry and attack when food is not forthcoming.
Ifthesesignsappear,theindividualshouldstartbackingawayandlookingforanescape
route. An escape route for the moose should also be ensured.
Fortunately most moose charges are bluffs, but they must be taken seriously. A person
chasedbyamooseshouldtrytogetbehindsomethingsolid,alargerockoratree.Ahuman
canrunaroundatreefasterthanamoosecan.Individualsknockeddownbyamooseshould
curl up in a ball, protect their head with their arms, and lie still. They must not move until
the moose is a safe distance away, or it may renew its attack.
When a moose knocks a person down, it may continue running or start stomping and
kicking with all four feet. Moose attack with their hooves, even though bulls may carry an
impressive set of antlers.
Elk
Elk are the second-largest ungulate. Bulls weigh an average of 700 pounds, stand about
5 feet high at the shoulder, and are 8 feet long. Cows average 500 pounds, measuring 4.5
feet at the shoulder and 6.5 feet from nose to tail.
Attacks on humans by elk are less common than attacks by moose. However, in 1999
more than 100 people were attacked by elk in Banff, Canada. The following year, Parks
Canada shipped to a remote area a major portion of Banff's elk population of some 500
animals. However, elk remain a problem in Banff.
Visitors to Banff National Park of Canada are warned that “(Elk) Attacks have occurred
at any time of the year.” The brochure for the Canmore area in Alberta's Bow Valley Wild-
landProvincialParkwarnsthat“Allelkcanbedangerous.Femaleelkcanbeespeciallyag-
gressiveduringcalvingseasoninMayandJune.Duringautumnrut(SeptembertoNovem-