ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) – Fish and Game says it’s getting more reports of bull moose with things tangled up in their antlers as the rutting season continues. That includes a young bull that started showing up in South Anchorage a few weeks ago with electrical cords wrapped around its head.
Fish and Game biologists remove electrical cords from the antlers of a sedated moose(From: Fish and Game)
Biologist Nick Docken said the department received numerous calls and photos of the animal before they were finally able to catch up with it wandering down West Dimond Boulevard on a recent Saturday. Biologists were able to sedate the moose and carefully remove the cords.
“There wasn’t any permanent damage done from the electrical cords, but it was definitely a big annoyance for him,” Docken said. “And it was blocking his vision, which we thought was a safety concern for the public and for the moose.”
Docken said the animal quickly recovered from the sedation and wandered back into the woods with a much lighter load. But it wasn’t alone. In recent days, the department has received at least three reports of moose with ropes, wires and assorted cables tangled in their antlers. That includes one last Friday that had a bungee cord wrapped around its neck.
“Definitely a concern that if he got into a fight with another bull that it could cause some damage or affect him in a negative way,” Docken said.
That moose was also sedated and the cord removed, but Docken said that may not be the best course for every animal. If their ability to eat, see or move is not impacted, he said, sometimes it’s best to leave them alone.
“So, we kind of weigh those risks …of what those objects are doing and how it’s effecting them and whether it’s worth going through the risk of sedating them to free them or not.”
Docken said the department is keeping its eye on several moose with objects in their antlers and reminds the public that if they see an entangled moose they should never approach it but call Fish and Game or Wildlife Troopers instead. In Anchorage, the Fish and Game number to call is 907-267-2257.
See a spelling or grammar error? Report it to web@ktuu.com
Copyright 2025 KTUU. All rights reserved.