Dale Chorman Obituary – An Alaskan man, Dale Chorman, tragically lost his life when he was unexpectedly charged by a moose while attempting to capture photographs of its two calves. The incident occurred on his property in the town of Homer. Mr. Chorman’s son acknowledged that the moose was merely protecting its offspring and expressed a desire to spare the animal’s life.
Fortunately, Mr. Chorman’s companion, who remains unidentified, escaped unharmed. The Alaska Department of Public Safety confirmed that Mr. Chorman had been actively searching for the moose and its calves on his property in order to photograph them. Tim Kizzia, a friend of the victim, recounted the sudden and shocking nature of the moose’s attack, catching Mr. Chorman off guard.
Medical professionals pronounced Mr. Chorman dead at the scene, while the moose and its calves had already departed. Nathan Spence-Chorman, Mr. Chorman’s son, emphasized that his family did not wish for the moose to be euthanized, recognizing that his father had willingly taken the risk in pursuit of a remarkable photograph. He stated on social media that the moose was not to blame, as it was simply protecting its young. Although moose attacks are uncommon, these animals can exhibit aggression if provoked.
The Alaska Department of Fish and Game’s website explains that a cow moose, particularly during calving season from mid-May to mid-June, can become highly defensive of its offspring and may attack if humans approach too closely. Wildlife officials speculate that this year’s record-breaking snowfall, which has made food sources scarcer, may contribute to increased irritability among moose.
It is worth noting that moose are the largest members of the deer family, with the Alaska moose being the largest subspecies. They can reach heights of nearly six feet (182cm) and females can weigh as much as 57 stone (362kg). The state of Alaska is home to an estimated 175,000 to 200,000 moose, while its human population is approximately .
