Meet the Moose
Did you know moose can eat up to 70 pounds of browse a day? At birth, calves weigh just 28 to 35 pounds (13–16 kg), but they grow fast—packing on up to 600 pounds in their first year. Adult females typically weigh between 800 and 1,300 pounds, while males can reach a whopping 1,600 pounds! Willows are a year-round favorite, especially the leaves in summer and twigs in winter. In warmer months, moose also munch on fireweed, horsetail, sedges, aquatic plants, and the leaves of birch and aspen.
REMEMBER – Moose calves are rarely abandoned by their mothers! If you see a calf that you think is abandoned, contact the Department of Fish & Game.
Meet Eland
Please say hello and welcome to the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center’s newest resident moose—Eland.
Eland is a stunning bull moose who recently found himself in need of a new home after the closure of his previous facility. Eland is already capturing hearts with his handsomeness, curious nature, and gentle charm.
Thanks to the generous support of our friends at Holland America Line, we were able to open our gates—and our hearts—to ensure Eland had a safe, permanent home where he will receive expert care, enrichment, and some of the best moose-approved snacks he could want. His name, Eland, means “moose” in Dutch—a meaningful tribute to the support that made his arrival possible. We are honored to partner with Holland America Line to provide Eland a place to call home.
Come say hi to him on your next visit to AWCC, and keep an eye on our social channels to follow his journey. We imagine he’ll capture your heart, too.
Eland’s name is generously sponsored by:
Meet Pip and Jo
Pip the playful problem-solver and Jo the no-nonsense leader—these two share a special bond and keep sanctuary life lively.
Pip – short for Pippi Longstocking – came to the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center in May 2020 after being found alone in Seward, much too young to survive without her mother. Her mom’s fate remains a mystery, but Pip has grown into a strong, spirited moose with a mind all her own. Sweet yet fiercely independent, Pip often chooses to spend time alone, wandering and exploring on her own terms. She’s highly intelligent and loves a good challenge—especially puzzles—and has even earned a reputation as a bit of a Houdini, cleverly figuring out how to unlatch gates. Pip truly marches to the beat of her own drum, and we wouldn’t have it any other way.
Jo – short for Josephine March from Little Women – came to the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center in June 2020 under difficult circumstances. Her mother was shot in defense of life and property after charging a fisherman in Anchorage, and Jo was rescued by the Alaska Department of Fish and Game just hours later. Bigger and perhaps a week or two older than her companion Pip, Jo was initially very shy and wary of humans since she was with mom only hours before she was brought into human care. Over time, she has grown into a confident, independent, and dominant moose who knows exactly what she wants—and isn’t afraid to let you know it. Her favorite snacks? Tender fireweed and crisp lettuce—though she’ll happily munch on any leafy browse she can find.