Moose are large wild animals. Interactions with them can sometimes lead to dangerous situations. Though typically not aggressive, moose can pose a threat under specific circumstances, requiring awareness of their behavior and risks. This article explores moose-related fatalities, why encounters become dangerous, and how to minimize risk.
The Real Numbers: Moose-Related Fatalities
Fatal encounters with moose are relatively uncommon. However, when incidents do occur, they often involve significant consequences due to the animal’s immense size, which can reach up to 1,500 pounds and stand over 7 feet tall at the shoulder. In the United States, collisions with large ungulates, including moose, account for approximately 440 human fatalities annually.
Regional data provides further insight. In Maine, 26 human fatalities were attributed to moose collisions between 2003 and 2017. This indicates a higher fatality rate compared to deer collisions, which resulted in 10 deaths over the same period, despite deer collisions being much more frequent. Similarly, in Canada, moose were involved in 236 fatalities from 2000 to 2014, averaging about 15.7 deaths per year. In Sweden, approximately 10 to 15 human deaths occur annually from about 4,500 vehicle collisions with moose. While direct attacks are less often fatal, more people in Alaska are injured by moose each year than by bears, showing non-vehicular encounters can still result in serious harm.
Primary Causes of Fatal Encounters
Most moose-related human fatalities stem from two main encounter types: vehicle collisions and direct attacks. Vehicle collisions account for a substantial portion of these incidents, due to moose characteristics and behaviors. Their dark coats make them difficult to see, especially at dawn, dusk, and night, which are also peak activity times for moose. When a vehicle strikes a moose, the animal’s long legs are often hit first, causing its massive body to collapse onto the car’s windshield and roof, leading to severe damage and occupant injury.
Direct attacks, though less often fatal, can occur when a moose feels threatened or provoked. Cows with calves are protective, especially during spring and early summer, and bull moose can become aggressive during the fall rutting season. Other triggers for aggressive behavior include harassment from people, dogs, or traffic, as well as hunger or stress, particularly in winter. Warning signs that a moose may charge include laid-back ears, raised hair on the hump or neck, lip licking, a lowered head, swaying, or showing the whites of its eyes. Moose typically kick forward with their powerful front hooves and may stomp if they knock a person down.
Minimizing Risk: Safety Around Moose
Understanding moose behavior can reduce the risk of dangerous encounters. When driving in areas with moose populations, slow down, particularly during dawn, dusk, and at night, or in adverse weather conditions that limit visibility. Drivers should remain alert, scanning the road for wildlife, and use high beams when safe to do so. If a moose is spotted on or near the road, do not honk or swerve suddenly; instead, slow down or stop and wait for the animal to move on its own. If a collision becomes unavoidable, applying the brakes, steering straight, and aiming for the animal’s rear can help reduce the severity of impact, and occupants should duck down to protect themselves.
When on foot, maintain a safe distance of at least 25 to 50 yards from a moose. Never attempt to approach or feed a moose, as this can lead to aggressive conditioning. Keeping dogs on a leash is crucial, as unleashed dogs can provoke a defensive charge. If an encounter occurs, talk softly and back away slowly, avoiding aggressive movements. Should a moose charge, seek immediate cover behind a solid object like a large tree, vehicle, or building. If knocked down, curl into a ball to protect the head and vital organs, remaining still until the moose departs.