Denali National Park and Preserve rangers were investigating the illegal shooting of a cow moose inside the park, one that left two young calves to fend for themselves.
The moose carcass was discovered near the Denali Post Office inside the park Tuesday morning. Park staff quickly determined the cow moose had been shot and killed one or two days prior to its discovery.
“We have several reports of a single gunshot heard on Sunday, June 5th, sometime after 6 p.m. We’re thinking that might be part of our timeline," Kathleen Kelly, the park's Volunteer Program manager, said during a phone call Wednesday. She did not know what type of weapon was used.
The twin calves were estimated to be about three weeks old. Park wildlife staff, in consultation with the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, determined that catching the calves at this time would not be feasible because they are too mobile and trying to catch them would pose a danger to them. The situation will be monitored, and if the calves weaken enough to be caught safely they will be captured and transferred to a captive rearing facility.
Park rangers have determined that "there’s no evidence at this time to indicate that (the shooting) was self-defense," Ms. Kelly said. "The angle of the shot was from someone who knew what he or she was doing. This was more of a heart shot. It was a hunting-type shot.”
People authorized to carry firearms under Alaska State law are allowed to carry firearms in the park. However, the discharge of a firearm in the park and killing of the moose is a violation of both 36 CFR 2.3(a)(1)(iii) and 2.2(a)(1) – using a weapon and taking of wildlife.
While there is not a “defense of life and property” (DLP) provision in the federal laws governing national parks, there is under Alaska State law and it must be reported, park authorities said.
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