A trip to a hardware store in Alaska turned into an unforgettable experience for some shoppers this week when a moose gave birth right in the parking lot.
Instead of browsing aisles at Lowe’s or Target in the Tikahtnu Commons in Anchorage, customers found themselves watching nature unfold. For hours, they observed as the mother moose cared for her newborn calf, even witnessing the calf’s first wobbly steps.
Moose in the Spotlight: A Parking Lot Delivery
The moose and her calf were spotted seeking shade beside a black Jeep in the Lowe’s parking lot, quickly drawing a crowd of curious onlookers. Shoppers sat in awe as the mother nursed her calf and foraged on nearby leaves.
Katherine Warren, a shopper, was the first to alert security after noticing the newborn and its mother resting by the vehicle. She described the mother moose as “a little scared and timid” due to the growing number of people gathering to watch.
“Seeing the way she’s been acting—not so much angry, but you can tell she’s just kind of like a little scared and doesn’t know what to think of everything,” Warren told KTVA. “It is exciting, it’s a new life, but at the other end, she needs her privacy.”
Chased by a Bear, Finds Shelter in a Parking Lot
According to Kelsey Mullins, who shared photos of the pair on Facebook, the mother moose had been chased out of the nearby woods by a bear. Seeking safety, she and her newborn took refuge in the parking lot, unknowingly providing a rare sight for the crowd.
A Community Effort to Protect the Moose
Lowe’s staff and security were quick to respond, blocking off a section of the parking lot and ensuring the mother and calf were safe. They created a respectful boundary around the pair, allowing shoppers to observe without disturbing them. The Alaska Department of Fish and Game was on standby in case assistance was needed, but the crowd respected the space, and no intervention was required.
For nine hours, the mother and her calf remained in the parking lot before eventually wandering back into the woods. Though some believed they had witnessed the calf’s birth, experts suggested the calf might have been a day old, as its coat was already dry.
A Memorable Experience for Onlookers
While one mother was excited that her children got to witness the beginning of a new life, a little girl was simply thrilled to see the baby moose’s poop. Another customer, who had lived in Alaska for 50 years, called the experience “unbelievable.”
“This is something you don’t see every day, especially in a parking lot,” he told the station.
Mid-May to June is calving season for moose in Alaska, and sightings of newborns are not uncommon. Just recently, another mother moose with her two-week-old calf was spotted in the same area, further highlighting the special connection between Alaskans and their unique wildlife.
In the end, this heartwarming scene served as a reminder of Alaska’s remarkable wildlife and the harmonious coexistence between nature and the local community.
