Denali National Park and Preserve is warning visitors to watch out for a cow moose with two calves at the Riley Creek Campground that has charged three people in the last two weeks, one of whom was attacked and injured by the moose.
The cow has been roaming Riley Creek Campground at the park entrance for a few weeks, according to Denali National Park volunteer program manager Kathleen Kelly. The cow is "very defensive" of her calves, Kelly wrote.
The moose has charged three people and attacked one since May 24.
One woman was injured by the cow on May 27. The moose charged the woman, and when she attempted to run, the moose knocked her down and "then reared up and hit the woman's head and shoulder with her front hooves," Kelly wrote.
The woman was taken to a Fairbanks hospital, where she was treated for lacerations to her ear and head and was released, Kelly wrote.
Kelly said the moose and her calves have been drawing a large number of visitors to the campground who aren't staying there.
"There's almost a gravitational pull to baby animals," Kelly said. That additional foot traffic has been hard for the park to manage.
At the park, visitors are supposed to stay at least 25 yards away from moose but even that may not be far enough, Kelly wrote. The park recommends taking photographs with a telephoto lens and has made a request of "no selfies!" wildlife biologist Pat Owen said in the release.
The cow's defenses are natural.
"She's being a good moose and she's being a good mom," Kelly said.
If charged by a moose, run away, Owen said: "Duck around trees, cars or buildings. If you are out in the open, run in a zigzag, since moose don't corner well."
Over the past few weeks, several campsites at the campground were temporarily closed to allow the moose more space to roam. The campsites were re-opened this week to "hard-sided campers" that have walls.
Every visitor to the campground is receiving an orientation on moose safety, and fliers are posted at every campsite about the cow moose and her calves.