Wildlife

Mild winter credited with decrease in moose roadkill on Kenai Peninsula

KENAI — Wildlife officials say the mild winter this year kept road visibility decent enough to save some moose and drivers' lives on the Kenai Peninsula.

The Peninsula Clarion reports that the Alaska Moose Federation has tracked 167 moose-car collisions on the Kenai Peninsula's highways so far this year, compared to 206 in the previous year.

Alaska Department of Fish and Game wildlife technician Larry Lewis says the low snowfall kept many moose off roads. The animals walk where it's easiest, which in snowy years is often the road.

However, Lewis says the real spike in collisions comes in the summer, when there is increased movement in moose calves and more summer tourist traffic.

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