ANCHORAGE, Alaska — A viral video posted on YouTube of a woman petting a moose in Anchorage has come to the attention of officials at the Alaska Department of Fish and Game.
Biologists say it’s illegal to touch or feed moose. More importantly it’s very dangerous, since moose can kick in all directions -- including sideways.
Fish and Game says that moose are especially stressed this time of year because of a lack of food, and local vegetation isn't expected to green up for another six weeks. Officials say the increased stress means moose are more likely to be agitated.
“From a moose standpoint, being petted on the nose is not a positive encounter," said Fish and Game biologist Jessy Coltrane. “They really don’t want to be petted by you, or another moose or anything else.”
